Fracturing a well formation

Abstract

A fracturing tool includes a container structure, and a puncher charge arranged in the container structure, where the puncher charge if detonated is configured to extend an opening through the container structure without creating a perforation tunnel in a formation surrounding the well. An energetic material is to be initiated by detonation of the puncher charge, where the energetic material upon initiation creates an increased pressure in the well to perform fracturing of the formation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fracturing apparatus for use in a well, comprising:
 a container structure;   a puncher charge arranged in the container structure, where the puncher charge if detonated is configured to extend an opening through the container structure without creating a perforation tunnel in a formation surrounding the well; and   an energetic material to be initiated by detonation of the puncher charge, where the energetic material upon initiation creates an increased pressure in the well to perform fracturing of the formation.   
     
     
         2 . The fracturing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an outer housing, wherein the container structure is located inside the outer housing. 
     
     
         3 . The fracturing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the energetic material is between the outer housing and the container structure. 
     
     
         4 . The fracturing apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a loading tube carrying the puncher charge, the loading tube being inside the container structure, wherein the container structure is to provide protection of an assembly including the loading tube and puncher charge from well pressure. 
     
     
         5 . The fracturing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the outer housing has an opening that exists prior to detonation of the puncher charge, wherein the opening provides for fluid communication between an inner chamber of the outer housing and the well. 
     
     
         6 . The fracturing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the container structure is an outer housing of the fracturing apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . The fracturing apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the container structure has a scalloped region through which an explosive force of the puncher charge is to extend to create an opening in the container structure. 
     
     
         8 . The fracturing apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a loading tube carrying the puncher charge, where the energetic material is between the loading tube and the container structure. 
     
     
         9 . The fracturing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the energetic material is selected from the group consisting of a propellant, a high explosive, a gun powder, a combustible metallic powder, thermite, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The fracturing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the well is lined with a casing or liner, and wherein the puncher charge if detonated is configured to extend the opening through the container structure without perforating the casing or liner. 
     
     
         11 . The fracturing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the energetic material is part of a mixture that further includes at least one selected from the group consisting of proppants, a solid acid, a bactericide, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . A method of forming a fracturing apparatus for use in fracturing a formation around a well, comprising:
 providing a container structure;   arranging puncher charges inside the container structure, wherein the puncher charges if detonated extend openings through the container structure without creating perforation tunnels in the formation; and   providing an energetic material in the fracturing apparatus to be initiated by detonation of the puncher charges.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising ballistically connecting a detonating cord to the puncher charges. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising arranging the puncher charges within a loading tube that is inside the container structure. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing the container structure and the energetic material inside an outer housing that has pre-configured openings to allow fluid communication between the well and an inner chamber of the outer housing. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the container structure is a scalloped outer housing having thinned wall regions through which the puncher charges are to extend openings upon detonation of the puncher charges. 
     
     
         17 . A system comprising:
 a tool string for deployment into a well, the tool string having a fracturing tool, the fracturing tool comprising:
 a container structure; 
 a puncher charge arranged in the container structure, where the puncher charge if detonated is configured to extend an opening through the container structure without creating a perforation tunnel in a formation surrounding the well; and 
 an energetic material to be initiated by detonation of the puncher charge, where the energetic material upon initiation creates an increased pressure in the well to perform fracturing of the formation. 
   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the energetic material is selected from the group consisting of a propellant, a high explosive, a gun powder, a combustible metallic powder, thermite, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the fracturing tool further comprises an outer housing in which the container structure is located, the outer housing having an opening. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the container structure is a scalloped outer housing.