Modeling simultaneous growth of multi-branch hydraulic fractures

The recent advancements in fracturing technology have generated more interest in pursuing novel techniques such as simultaneous frac jobs, zip-fracs and multi-stage fracturing. The diagnostic data from these treatments also suggests complex, multi-stranded fracture zones as a result of interaction between different competing fracture strands. Explanation and prediction of fracture patterns in these cases are not possible without a deep understanding of the mechanism behind the competition between different fracture tips. A stability analysis for hydraulic fracturing growth and its implementation using extended finite element methods are presented in this paper. Several examples are provided to show the significance of stability analyses in fracturing treatments. The fracture propagation modeling demonstrated using this numerical method could be the key to determining efficient perforation and spacing in hydraulic fracture design analysis, as well as evaluating novel techniques such as sequential or simultaneous fracturing within a single or multiple horizontal wellbores.