A method for treating a tar sands formation is disclosed. The method
includes heating a first portion of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation
from one or more heaters located in the first portion. The heat is
controlled to increase a fluid injectivity of the first portion. A drive
fluid and/or an oxidizing fluid is injected and/or created in the first
portion to cause at least some hydrocarbons to move from a second portion
of the hydrocarbon layer to a third portion of the hydrocarbon layer. The
second portion is between the first portion and the third portion. The
first, second, and third portions are horizontally displaced from each
other. The third portion is heated from one or more heaters located in
the third portion. Hydrocarbons are produced from the third portion of
the formation. The hydrocarbons include at least some hydrocarbons from
the second portion of the formation.