Patent ID: 7870902

Claim:
A method of allowing at least two fractures to be formed in a subterranean formation from a non-vertical, open hole section of an underground well bore, the method comprising: providing a removable coating across substantially the entire surface of the wall of the well bore in the section of the well bore from which the at least two fractures will be initiated; selectively removing the coating from the well bore wall at a desired first fracture initiation location in the well bore sufficient to allow a first fracture to be formed in the subterranean formation therefrom; allowing the first fracture to be formed in the subterranean formation in the vicinity of the desired first fracture initiation location, wherein the remainder of the section of the well bore from which the at least two fractures will be initiated is shielded from fracturing by the coating; placing a first plug in the well bore around the first fracture initiation location after the first fracture is, formed, the first plug shielding the subterranean formation from fracturing at the first fracture initiation location during subsequent fracturing of the subterranean formation from the open hole section, the first plug not impairing conductivity of the first fracture; selectively removing the coating from the well bore wall at a desired second fracture initiation location in the well bore sufficient to allow a second fracture to be formed in the subterranean formation therefrom; and allowing the second fracture to be formed in the subterranean formation in the vicinity of the desired second fracture initiation location, wherein the remainder of the section of the well bore from which the at least two fractures is initiated is shielded from fracturing.