A method for recovering and partially converting bitumen, kerogen and/or heavy oils to lighter hydrocarbons by extraction with (nominally) supercritical water is described. In one version of the process, steam at 400-475.degree.C is continuously injected into the pay-zone under a pressure of 7-21 MPa, and taken off through back-pressure valves into a pressure let-down vessel where the extract falls out. Optimum extraction temperatures are induced by supplemental electrical heating or by combustion of part of the in-place organic matter. In the other version, the bitumen, kerogens and/or heavy oils produced by conventional steam-flooding techniques are partially upgraded and separated from co-produced water by slowly passing them through a reactor at 400-475.degree.C under a pressure of 7-21 MPa, and thereafter passing them through a back-pressure valve into a pressure let-down vessel.
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