Patent ID: 10738584

Abstract:
Methods of increasing fracture complexity including introducing a solids-free high viscosity fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation at a pressure above the fracture gradient to create a dominate fracture, and thereafter introducing a low-viscosity pad fluid comprising micro-proppant and meso-proppant into the subterranean formation at a pressure above the fracture gradient to create a secondary branch fracture. The micro-proppant and meso-proppant are placed into the secondary branch fracture. A low-viscosity proppant slurry comprising macro-proppant and micro-proppant is introduced into the subterranean formation at a pressure above the fracture gradient, where the macro-proppant and micro-proppant are introduced into the dominate fracture. Fracture closure stress is applied and the meso-proppant transmits the closure stress to form tertiary branch fractures. The macro-proppant may also transmit the closure stress to form additional secondary branch fractures.