A process under subclasses 305.1+ in which the earth is cracked to create a fissure therein.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
177.1+, for apparatus for fracturing a formation.
259, for a process involving in situ combustion and fracturing a formation.
271, for a process involving input and output wells and fracturing the formation.
280, for a process involving fracturing the formation and a specific propping feature.
281, for a process involving separate steps of (1) cementing, plugging or consolidating and (2) fracturing the formation.
283, for a process involving a specific low fluid loss feature for a fracturing fluid or a process in which a cementing, plugging or consolidating material causes a fracture. 299, for a process of fracturing involving use of an explosive.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
102, Ammunition and Explosives,
301+, for apparatus and methods for fracturing a formation by the use of an explosive.
175, Boring or Penetrating the Earth, appropriate subclasses, especially
2+, for initially forming or radially enlarging an elongated hole having a desired geometrical configuration, rather than forming an irregular fissure, in the earth.
299, Mining or In Situ Disintegration of Hard Material,
13, for a process of breaking down hard material by an explosive, subclasses 16+ for a process of breaking down material by direct contact with fluid, and subclasses 20+ for expansible breaking down devices. The line between Classes 299 and 166 as to this subject matter is based on the disclosed purpose for performing the fracturing process. If the purpose is ultimately to recover fluid from the earth by a Class 166 process classification is in Class 166; if the purpose is ultimately to perform a Class 299 mining operation or to perform a mere disintegration operation (of the type classifiable in Class 299) then classification is in Class 299. See the reference to Class 299 in References to Other Classes in the class definition of Class 166 for the distinction between Class 166 and Class 299 relative to recovering fluid from the earth and mining.
