The video orbits the final shapes of 3 different simulations for the simultaneous propagation of 3 initially circular hydraulic fractures. The different simulations are represented by different colors where different initial configurations of the initial fractures in relation to the horizontal in situ stresses are adopted. The color scheme is adopted as follows:
Green: relative angle with horizontal in situ stresses = 0 degree
Blue: relative angle with horizontal in situ stresses = 5 degrees
Yellow: relative angle with horizontal in situ stresses = 10 degrees
These simulations show how assuming initially aligned hydraulic fractures can lead to very different fracture shapes and the importance of considering fully 3-D methodologies for the early stages of hydraulic fracturing simulation.
