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 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 method 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.

Methods and systems are provided for extracting thermal energy from a conventional geothermal reservoir. One aspect involves drilling or accessing a production well that intersects the conventional geothermal reservoir, and detonating at least one linear shaped charge to enlarge or open a naturally-occurring fracture of the conventional geothermal reservoir at the intersection of the naturally-occurring fracture and the production well, which reduces pressures loss of fluid flow into the production well from the naturally-occurring fracture. The reduction in pressure loss can increase fluid flow into the production well to increase the amount of captured heat. The detonation of the linear shaped charge(s) can increase aperture size of at least one naturally-occurring fracture at a wellbore surface.

Methods and systems are provided for extracting thermal energy from a conventional geothermal reservoir. One aspect involves drilling or accessing a production well that intersects the conventional geothermal reservoir, and detonating at least one linear shaped charge to enlarge or open a naturally-occurring fracture of the conventional geothermal reservoir at the intersection of the naturally-occurring fracture and the production well, which reduces pressures loss of fluid flow into the production well from the naturally-occurring fracture. The reduction in pressure loss can increase fluid flow into the production well to increase the amount of captured heat. The detonation of the linear shaped charge(s) can increase aperture size of at least one naturally-occurring fracture at a wellbore surface.

By removing material of low permeability from within and around a perforation tunnel and creating at least one fracture at the tip of a perforation tunnel, injection parameters and effects such as outflow rate and, in the case of multiple perforation tunnels benefiting from such cleanup, distribution of injected fluids along a wellbore are enhanced. Following detonation of a charge carrier, a second explosive event is triggered within a freshly made tunnel, thereby substantially eliminating a crushed zone and improving the geometry and quality (and length) of the tunnel. In addition, this action creates substantially debris-free tunnels and relieves the residual stress cage, resulting in perforation tunnels that are highly conducive to injection under fracturing conditions for disposal and stimulation purposes, and that promote even coverage of injected fluids across the perforated interval.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of precursor components (or compositions thereof) that can be combined with one or more additional components (or compositions thereof) to form an explosive composition. The disclosed precursor components (or compositions thereof) can be handled and transported safely to a particular location where they can be mixed with liquid fuel to form an explosive composition. In particular disclosed embodiments, the precursor components (or compositions thereof) can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of an oxidizer component, a metal component, or combinations thereof.

By removing material of low permeability from within and around a perforation tunnel and creating at least one fracture at the tip of a perforation tunnel, injection parameters and effects such as outflow rate and, in the case of multiple perforation tunnels benefiting from such cleanup, distribution of injected fluids along a wellbore are enhanced. Following detonation of a charge carrier, a second explosive event is triggered within a freshly made tunnel, thereby substantially eliminating a crushed zone and improving the geometry and quality (and length) of the tunnel. In addition, this action creates substantially debris-free tunnels and relieves the residual stress cage, resulting in perforation tunnels that are highly conducive to injection under fracturing conditions for disposal and stimulation purposes, and that promote even coverage of injected fluids across the perforated interval.

By removing material of low permeability from within and around a perforation tunnel and creating at least one fracture at the tip of a perforation tunnel, injection parameters and effects such as outflow rate and, in the case of multiple perforation tunnels benefiting from such cleanup, distribution of injected fluids along a wellbore are enhanced. Following detonation of a charge carrier, a second explosive event is triggered within a freshly made tunnel, thereby substantially eliminating a crushed zone and improving the geometry and quality (and length) of the tunnel. In addition, this action creates substantially debris-free tunnels and relieves the residual stress cage, resulting in perforation tunnels that are highly conducive to injection under fracturing conditions for disposal and stimulation purposes, and that promote even coverage of injected fluids across the perforated interval.

Methods for initiating chemical reactions in a wellbore include delivering one or more reactive components via a carrier fluid to the wellbore. The one or more reactive components delivered to the wellbore are configured to enable one or more chemical reactions to occur. The one or more chemical reactions are carried out until a threshold volume of the one or more reactive components is delivered to the wellbore.