Using a three-dimensional concept in a two-dimensional model to predict accurate hydraulic fracture dimensions

Hydraulic fracture treatments can be used to increase the oil and gas flow rates and ultimate recovery. A fracture treatment should be designed to optimize profit from the well. To design and optimize the fracture treatment, an engineer should use (1) a fracture propagation model, (2) a reservoir fluid flow model, and (3) an economics model. ch as a fracture treatment design involves selection of fracturing fluids, proppants, pump schedule and injection rate, this three-step procedure is repeated several times to obtain the best combination. Using a three-dimensional fracture propagation calculation tool in such a case is difficult and time consuming. In this paper, an easier approach is presented to approximate the three-dimensional fracture geometry by a two-dimensional fracture propagation calculation model in order to save significant amount of computer time.