A formulation for simulating arbitrarily shaped 3D fractures is presented. The technique extends previous variational techniques and provides a stable solution with a minimum number of elements. The model is used to assess the applicability of simplified height-growth models. Issues related to the treatment of 2D convection fields, associated with the fluid-flow equations, are also addressed.

Keywords:
hydraulic fracturing, displacement, implication, ben naceur, equation, Upstream Oil & Gas, Simulation, representation, formulation, relation
Subjects:
Fracturing materials (fluids, proppant), Hydraulic Fracturing
Copyright 1990, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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