Abstract A method of fracturing a natural gas bearing earth formation penetrated by a well bore by introducing a charge of oxygen into the well bore and into the producing formation in such volume as to produce an explosive mixture of natural gas-oxygen in a portion of the formation extending about and from the well bore and igniting the mixture to produce an explosion of the natural gas-oxygen mixture in such portion thereby causing fracturing of the formation. The method may also include the steps of filling the well bore with a liquid of low compressibility prior to the ignition of the natural gas-oxygen mixture present in the formation to limit or prevent damage to the well and to contain and control the explosion.
The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes the steps of filling a portion of the well bore with liquid to confine the effects of the explosion of the mixture to the formation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of fracturing a natural gaS bearing earth formation traversed by a well bore having a casing cemented therein including: perforating the casing at the location of the natural gas bearing formation; closing the casing below the perforatons; introducing a charge of oxygen from the surface and through the casing and its perforations into the bearing formation to form an explosive natural gas-oxygen mixture in a portion of the formation about the well bore; and igniting the mixture in the formation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 3, and the additional step of lowering an inner flow conductor into the casing to the location of the perforations and closing the annulus between the inner flow conductor and the casing, the oxygen being introduced into the formation through the inner flow conductor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 4, and introducing a low compressibility liquid into the annulus prior to the ignition of the mixture.