Rock fracturing by gas loading for well stimulation

Wellbore gas loading has been used since the 80's to generate small fractures to overcome near wellbore damage. Two techniques are currently used. The first uses a propellant tool to dynamically pressurize the formation whereas the second store the fracturing energy through the well pressurization before the casing perforation and the fracture initiation. These two techniques are reviewed and laboratory and field results are presented as well as modeling results.