Casing expansion and formation compression for permeability plane orientation. A method of forming at least one increased permeability plane in a subterranean formation includes the steps of: installing a casing section in a wellbore intersecting the formation; expanding the casing section in the wellbore; and then injecting a fluid into the formation, the injecting step being performed after the expanding step is completed. Another method includes the steps of: applying an increased compressive stress to the formation, the compressive stress being radially directed relative to a wellbore intersecting the formation; and then piercing the formation radially outward from the wellbore, thereby initiating the increased permeability plane. Yet another method includes the steps of: applying a reduced stress to the formation, the reduced stress being directed orthogonal to a wellbore intersecting the formation; and then piercing the formation with at least one penetration extending radially outward from the wellbore, thereby relieving the reduced stress at the penetration.