Numerical modeling of fracture propagation during multistage hydraulic fracturing.

The study presents numerical geomechanical modeling of multistage hydraulic fracturing. The simulation is performed using XFEM method in Abaqus. The main advantage of this approach is the possibility of fracture propagation in any direction independent of finite element mesh. The model uses fully coupled pore-pressure-stress analysis. Fluid flows inside the fracture, there is leak-off to porous medium from fracture and fluid flow in the porous medium. Stress shadow effect on fracture trajectory and opening is demonstrated for a number of cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]