Physical and analytical modeling of induced fractures from horizontal wellbores

The cost of producing hydrocarbons has increased rapidly in recent years due to difficult reservoir accessibility and environmental regulations. Hydraulic fracturing of horizontal wellbores is a widely used stimulation method in to enhance productivity. A number of hydraulic fracturing laboratory tests have been carried out on vertical, inclined, and horizontal wellbores drilled in 42 cm × 42 cm × 44 cm cement blocks. This paper presents the experimental results for the horizontal boreholes. Open hole 2.54 cm diameter wellbores were deviated from the applied maximum horizontal stress at different angles. The aim of these experiments was to characterize fracture initiation and propagation and to compare the experimental data with a wellbore stability model.