A method for treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy
hydrocarbons in situ may include providing heat from one or more heat
sources to a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed to
transfer from the heat sources to a selected section of the formation.
The transferred heat may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons within the
selected section. A mixture of hydrocarbons may be produced from the
selected section. In some embodiments, pressure may be controlled to
produce a desired property in the produced mixture.