Method for hydraulic fracture propagation in hydrocarbon-bearing formations

摘要

A hydrocarbon-bearing strata in a hydrocarbon producing well is fractured using a fracture pressure which will not propagate the fracture into adjacent overlying and underlying non-producing strata. The least principal compressive stress S.sub.3 of the hydrocarbon bearing strata and the adjacent overlying and underlying strata are determined by the relationship ##EQU1## where S.sub.1 is the maximum principle compressive stress, P.sub.F is the pore fluid pressure, and u is the coefficient of friction. The fracturing pressure is selected to be greater than S.sub.3 for the hydrocarbon bearing strata but less than S. sub.3 for the adjacent overlying and underlying non-producing strata. Hydrocarbon bearing formations suitable for hydraulic fracturing can also be identified.