FRACTURE INITIATION WITH AUXILIARY NOTCHES

摘要

Improved notching techniques are described for transverse fracture initiation from the wellbore (cased or open). One or more auxiliary notches are formed that are sealed from borehole pressure increase, yet still deformable under the fracturing pressure in the wellbore. Through the use of the auxiliary notches, lower fracturing pressure and/or shallower notches can be used when compared to known notching techniques without auxiliary notching. The described approaches can also provide greater control over the initial direction of the fracture.