Patent ID: 7677317

Claim:
A method for fracturing a fluid bearing formation having a wellbore comprising the steps of: introducing a quantity of fracturing fluid into said wellbore sufficient to fracture said formation; introducing a treatment medium comprising liquid carbon dioxide into said wellbore; and vaporizing at least a portion of said treatment medium; wherein the steps of introducing a quantity of fracturing fluid into said wellbore and introducing a treatment medium comprising liquid carbon dioxide into said wellbore comprise the steps of: regulating pressure within said wellbore and said formation such that at least a portion of said treatment medium remains in a liquid state following injection into said wellbore; inserting a length of tubing into said wellbore such that an annulus is created between said tubing and said wellbore; pumping said treatment medium through said tubing; pumping said fracturing fluid into said annulus; injecting said treatment medium into said fracturing fluid to create a second fluid; impinging said second fluid against said formation; creating at least one fracture in said formation; driving said second fluid into said formation; and releasing said pressure within said wellbore.