MECHANICALLY ASSISTED FRACTURE INITIATION

摘要

Systems and methods are described for controlling the location where a fracture initiates and the fracture direction at the initiation point. A mechanical device is positioned in a main wellbore or partially or fully in a side hole off of the main wellbore. The mechanical device is actuated so as to contact the formation walls and induce stress in the formation. According to some embodiments, fractures are also initiated using the mechanical device. A hydraulic fracturing process is then carried out to fracture and/or propagate fractures in locations and/or directions according to the actuation of the mechanical device.