Non-hydraulic fracturing systems, methods, and processes

Abstract

Methods and systems of fracturing subterranean formations to are provided comprising pumping metacritical phase natural gas into a subterranean formation to create or extend one or more fissures in the formation. Methods and systems may further comprise maintaining or increasing pressure of the metacritical phase natural gas in the formation by pumping more metacritical phase natural gas into the fissures to hold the fissures open. Methods and systems may further comprise delivering a proppant into the subterranean formation. Disclosed methods and systems may be used to extract hydrocarbons from subterranean formations without the use of liquids.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims priority to US Application No. 13 / 358,820, filed January 26, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. technical field [0003] The present disclosure relates to non-hydraulic fracturing systems and methods for increasing the permeability of subterranean hydrocarbon formations, thereby increasing the ability to extract those hydrocarbons. Background technique [0004] Hydrocarbon resources, such as oil and natural gas ("NG"), are often found underground in "tight" geological formations such as sandstone or shale. These require "unconventional" drilling and completion techniques, including "fracturing" of hydrocarbon-bearing geological formations to allow those hydrocarbons to be released for recovery, processing, storage and distribution. Existing fracturing methods are hydraulic, that is, they use fluids for fracturing and for delivering proppant to fractures. [0005]...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0006] Said waste streams and contaminated mixtures need to be disposed of, and the cost of adequate cleaning and proper disposal of "used" hydraulic fracturing fluids adds significantly to the cost of hydraulic fracturing, both economically and environmentally

If cleaning is not done properly, the environmental damage of fracking can be detrimental, leading regulators and / or policy makers to limit the use of fracking in response to public concerns, as is now the case in some regions Case

Hydraulic fracturing also often results in significant methane emissions (methane is a 2 more environmentally damaging greenhouse gases), and complex equipment for mitigating these emissions may be required

[0007] Additionally, some existing hydraulic fracturing techniques are energy and capital intensive

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