This paper reviews the procedures for interpreting, modeling, and predicting fracturing pressure. This review shows that excessive pressure resulting from fluid flow in the fracture can cause such problems as excessive height growth and screenouts, which reduce the potential fracture penetration. As a result, an important design consideration is to limit the pressure by controlling the fluid viscosity.

Keywords:
interpretation, hydraulic fracture, initial height, net pressure, penetration, fracture height, extension, equation, fluid loss, viscosity
Subjects:
Drilling fluid selection and formulation (chemistry, properties), Drilling Fluids and Materials, Drillstem/well testing, Formation Evaluation & Management, Fracturing materials (fluids, proppant), Hydraulic Fracturing
Copyright 1988, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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