Growth of pressure-induced fractures in the vicinity of a wellbore

Growth of pressure-induced fractures originating from a wellbore at an arbi trary angle to the direction df far field stresses is considered. A paramet ric study of hydraulic fracturing process from the point of view of fractur e mechanics is presented in conditions of slow and fast pressurization rate . The study is based on the linear elastic fracture mechanics formulation t hat involves a complex hypersingular equation (CHSIE) for a plane with a ci rcular opening and a system of arbitrary curvilinear cracks. Stepwise metho d is used to model fracture propagation. Dimensionless parameters influenci ng the fracture path are defined.