In a preferred method, a spilled fluid, lighter than and immiscible with water, is removed from the subsurface by first penetrating through the fluid zone and at least partially through the groundwater zone to provide a bore in communication therewith. Then, at suitable intervals, an amount of fluid is extracted from the fluid zone through the bore at a selected rate. In addition, at suitable intervals, an amount of water from the groundwater zone is extracted through the bore at a selected rate. Meanwhile, a vacuum is applied to one or more selected portions of the subsurface to draw air therethrough, to volatilize volatilizable components of the fluid, and to induce movement of the volatile (vapor) and liquid and heavy components of the fluid into the bore for extraction. A recovery well has a perforated first tube in the bore and a second tube which moves axially within the first tube to expose a varying portion of the perforated axial extent of the second tube to the vacuum, whereby the vacuum is applied to a selected portion of the subsurface directing movement of air therethrough to volatilize light components and to induce movement of the vapor and liquid components to and through the tubes and to the top surface.