Patent ID: 7730951

Claim:
A method for fracturing a subterranean formation, wherein the subterranean formation comprises a well bore having an axis, the method comprising: inducing a first fracture in the subterranean formation, wherein: the first fracture is initiated at about a fracturing location, the initiation of the first fracture is characterized by a first orientation line, wherein a direction of the first orientation line is determined by a natural stress field in the subterranean formation; the first fracture temporarily alters the natural stress field in the subterranean formation; and using explosives to induce a second fracture in the subterranean formation, wherein: the second fracture is initiated at about the fracturing location, the initiation of the second fracture is characterized by a second orientation line, the first orientation line and the second orientation line have an angular disposition to each other; and the second fracture is induced in the subterranean formation using a fracture inducing device comprising: a perforating gun; a sleeve of gas generating propellant placed on an outside of the perforating gun; and a detonation device selected from the group consisting of an electric line and a tubing; wherein the detonation device ignites the sleeve of gas generating propellant; wherein the angular disposition between the first orientation line and the second orientation line is caused by repositioning the fracture inducing device before inducing the second fracture in the subterranean formation.