Pseudo-three-dimensional model for hydraulic fracturing with foams

Abstract

Pseudo-three-dimensional cell-based model for hydraulic fracturing with foams is presented. Accounting for compressibility and non-Newtonian rheology of the foam the obtained model introduces a simple and efficient method to compute the fracture growth in a layered rock formation for such complex fluids. Numerical results reveal an influence of the foam properties on the fracture propagation and predict the difference in proppant transport for the foam fracturing comparing to fracturing with ordinary fluids.