A system of producing subterranean fractures in geologic formations for the extraction of hydrocarbons includes flowing an air and fuel mixture into a well hole. The well hole may then be sealed with a packer plug creating a compression chamber with the air and fuel mixture. A liquid, such as water, may be pumped into the well hole to create pressure in the compression chamber. The build-up of pressure eventually causes auto-ignition of the air and fuel mixture which fractures the formation. The water may then rush into the compression chamber which thermally shocks the area causing additional fractures. The water may vaporize to steam and thoroughly disinfect the well hole eliminating the need for added biocides.

A system of producing subterranean fractures in geologic formations for the extraction of hydrocarbons includes flowing an air and fuel mixture into a well hole. The well hole may then be sealed with a packer plug creating a compression chamber with the air and fuel mixture. A liquid, such as water, may be pumped into the well hole to create pressure in the compression chamber. The build-up of pressure eventually causes auto-ignition of the air and fuel mixture which fractures the formation. The water may then rush into the compression chamber which thermally shocks the area causing additional fractures. The water may vaporize to steam and thoroughly disinfect the well hole eliminating the need for added biocides.

An oil production system and method. The system includes a system for heating unrecovered oil. The system includes a chemical injection well having at least one subterranean outlet. The system also includes an oil production well with at least one subterranean inlet. The subterranean outlet is lower in elevation than the at least one inlet. The chemical injection well is coupled to an injected reactant source, and wherein said injected reactant source reacts with a second reactant in an exothermic reaction.

An oil production system and method. The system includes a system for heating unrecovered oil. The system includes a chemical injection well having at least one subterranean outlet. The system also includes an oil production well with at least one subterranean inlet. The subterranean outlet is lower in elevation than the at least one inlet. The chemical injection well is coupled to an injected reactant source, and wherein said injected reactant source reacts with a second reactant in an exothermic reaction.

Systems and methods for enhancing the conductivity of fractures in a subterranean formation using cements and electrically controlled propellant materials are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: introducing a cement fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, an inorganic cement, an electrically controlled propellant, and a plurality of electrically conductive particles into at least one fracture in a subterranean formation; allowing at least a portion of the cement fluid to at least partially harden in the fracture to form a solid cement mass; and applying an electrical current to at least a portion of the electrically controlled propellant in the fracture to ignite the electrically controlled propellant, whereby the solid cement mass in the fracture is at least partially ruptured by the ignition of the electrically controlled propellant.

Systems and methods for enhancing the conductivity of fractures in a subterranean formation using cements and electrically controlled propellant materials are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: introducing a cement fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, an inorganic cement, an electrically controlled propellant, and a plurality of electrically conductive particles into at least one fracture in a subterranean formation; allowing at least a portion of the cement fluid to at least partially harden in the fracture to form a solid cement mass; and applying an electrical current to at least a portion of the electrically controlled propellant in the fracture to ignite the electrically controlled propellant, whereby the solid cement mass in the fracture is at least partially ruptured by the ignition of the electrically controlled propellant.

A method for treating a hydrocarbon bearing formation bounded by at least one nonbearing formation comprises inserting a tubular into a wellbore formed in the hydrocarbon bearing formation. The tubular defines proximal and distal ends and further has a sidewall defining inner and outer surfaces and a tubular bore, where an annulus is defined between the outer surface of the sidewall and the inner surface of the wellbore. A detonator is disposed in the annulus through at least a portion of the hydrocarbon bearing formation. A first fluid including a first explosive is pumped through the tubular bore into a selected portion of the annulus. An isolation material is inserted in the annulus between an entrance of the wellbore and the first explosive fluid. The explosive fluid is detonated with the detonator.

A method for treating a hydrocarbon bearing formation bounded by at least one nonbearing formation comprises inserting a tubular into a wellbore formed in the hydrocarbon bearing formation. The tubular defines proximal and distal ends and further has a sidewall defining inner and outer surfaces and a tubular bore, where an annulus is defined between the outer surface of the sidewall and the inner surface of the wellbore. A detonator is disposed in the annulus through at least a portion of the hydrocarbon bearing formation. A first fluid including a first explosive is pumped through the tubular bore into a selected portion of the annulus. An isolation material is inserted in the annulus between an entrance of the wellbore and the first explosive fluid. The explosive fluid is detonated with the detonator.

A method for shale gas exploitation includes performing horizontal drilling operation on an area to be constructed, forming a crack around a horizontal drill hole wall by shaped charge perforation; expanding the crack around a horizontal hole hydraulic fracturing, and extracting methane gas after a fracturing fluid is discharged; after methane gas is reduced, performing in-situ combustion explosion fracturing on the methane involved in horizontal drilling; thereafter continuing to expand the crack in the horizontal drill hole such that methane continues to seep out, and continuing extracting methane; repeating combustion explosion fracturing and extraction operations, so as to increase combustion explosion cracking permeability, and greatly enhance the exploitation effect of shale gas. The method is suitable for fracturing reconstruction of unconventional oil and gas reservoirs such as shale gas reservoirs, coal seam gas reservoirs and tight sandstone gas reservoirs.

A method for shale gas exploitation includes performing horizontal drilling operation on an area to be constructed, forming a crack around a horizontal drill hole wall by shaped charge perforation; expanding the crack around a horizontal hole hydraulic fracturing, and extracting methane gas after a fracturing fluid is discharged; after methane gas is reduced, performing in-situ combustion explosion fracturing on the methane involved in horizontal drilling; thereafter continuing to expand the crack in the horizontal drill hole such that methane continues to seep out, and continuing extracting methane; repeating combustion explosion fracturing and extraction operations, so as to increase combustion explosion cracking permeability, and greatly enhance the exploitation effect of shale gas. The method is suitable for fracturing reconstruction of unconventional oil and gas reservoirs such as shale gas reservoirs, coal seam gas reservoirs and tight sandstone gas reservoirs.