An enhanced pseudo-3D model for hydraulic fracturing accounting for viscous height growth, non-local elasticity, and lateral toughness

The goal of this paper is to develop a more accurate pseudo-3D model for hydraulic fracturing. The primary weaknesses of the classical pseudo-3D model are: (1) its inability to capture viscous height growth and (2) its failure to include lateral fracture toughness. These flaws are addressed respectively by: (1) introducing an apparent fracture toughness in the vertical direction and (2) using an approximate non-local elasticity operator. To evaluate the accuracy and the level of improvement of the model we have developed, the results are compared to the predictions calculated using a recently developed fully planar hydraulic fracturing simulator.