The 3D lattice based method was used to model hydraulic fracture initiation from perforation, including the stress concentrations due to excavation of the wellbore and perforation. The fracture propagation process and the associated BHP history was modeled for both vertical and horizontal wells. For the configurations presented here, the models show that fracture propagation is initially almost uniform from all perforation tunnels. Fractures then propagate preferentially from some perforations to gradually coalesce and form the hydraulic fracture while fractures from the remaining perforations stop propagating. The near-wellbore fracture system can result in a large pressure drop and may also prevent proppant from entering the main body of the fracture. The results demonstrate the capability of modeling complex fractures with this lattice based method. The model is also capable of modeling the true 3D hydraulic fracture propagation and interaction with natural fractures.
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