Patent ID: 7198107

Claim:
A method of forming fractures in a subsurface gas hydrate formation, the method comprising the steps of: providing a production borehole; drilling at least one substantially horizontally disposed fracturing borehole with cryogenic air to prevent sluffing of the at least one substantially horizontally disposed fracturing borehole, the at least one substantially horizontally disposed fracturing borehole in fluid communication with the production borehole; introducing an initial quantity of liquified gas into the substantially horizontally disposed fracturing borehole such that the liquified gas communicates with the formation; allowing the quantity of liquified gas to vaporize in a portion of the at least one substantially horizontally disposed fracturing borehole whereby a resulting increase in pressure in the at least one substantially horizontally disposed fracturing borehole forms fractures in the formation; introducing an additional quantity of liquified gas into the substantially horizontally disposed fracturing borehole; allowing the additional quantity of liquified gas to vaporize in the at least one substantially horizontally disposed fracturing borehole whereby a resulting increase in pressure in its at least one substantially horizontally disposed fracturing borehole forms additional fractures in the formation.