Abstract: A method for fracturing a downhole formation, includes: preparing an energized fracturing fluid including mixing gaseous natural gas and a fracturing base fluid in a mixer; injecting the energized fracturing fluid through a wellhead and into a well; and continuing to inject the energized fracturing fluid until the formation is fractured. An apparatus for generating an energized fracturing fluid for use to fracture a downhole formation, the apparatus includes: a fracturing base fluid source; a natural gas source; and a mixer for accepting natural gas from the natural gas source and fracturing base fluid from the fracturing base fluid source and mixing the natural gas and the fracturing base fluid to generate the energized fracturing fluid.

Abstract: A method for fracturing a downhole formation, includes: preparing an energized fracturing fluid including mixing gaseous natural gas and a fracturing base fluid in a mixer; injecting the energized fracturing fluid through a wellhead and into a well; and continuing to inject the energized fracturing fluid until the formation is fractured. An apparatus for generating an energized fracturing fluid for use to fracture a downhole formation, the apparatus includes: a fracturing base fluid source; a natural gas source; and a mixer for accepting natural gas from the natural gas source and fracturing base fluid from the fracturing base fluid source and mixing the natural gas and the fracturing base fluid to generate the energized fracturing fluid.

Abstract: A method for fracturing a formation in a reservoir using a fracturing fluid mixture comprising natural gas and a base fluid, comprises: determining certain reservoir conditions of the reservoir comprising the formation; selecting at least one desired behaviour of the fracturing fluid mixture during a fracturing operation in the formation under the determined reservoir conditions; determining properties of the fracturing fluid mixture required to achieve the selected at least one behaviour, wherein the determined properties includes a mole fraction of natural gas in the mixture; preparing the fracturing fluid mixture having the determined properties; and injecting the fracturing fluid mixture into the reservoir under the determined reservoir conditions, such that the mixture exhibits the desired behaviour during the fracturing operation.