Patent ID: 8631872

Claim:
A method of inducing fracture complexity within a third fracturing interval between a first fracturing interval and a second fracturing interval of a subterranean formation, the method comprising: defining a horizontal stress anisotropy-altering dimension based on a determination of a magnitude and a direction of a maximum horizontal stress (σ HMax ) of the subterranean formation and a determination of a magnitude and a direction of a minimum horizontal stress (σ HMin ) of the subterranean formation, wherein the horizontal stress anisotropy of the subterranean formation is proportional to σ HMax −σ HMin ; providing a straddle-packer assembly to alter the stress anisotropy of a fracturing interval of the subterranean formation, wherein the straddle-packer assembly comprises a first packer at a lower end of the straddle-packer assembly, an injection port sub-assembly above the first packer, and a second packer above the injection port sub-assembly; based on defining the stress anisotropy-altering dimension, positioning the straddle packer assembly so as to provide a first route of fluid communication to the first fracturing interval of the subterranean formation via the injection port of the straddle-packer assembly; communicating a fluid to the first fracturing interval via the first route of fluid communication so as to induce a fracture within the first fracturing interval; based on defining the stress anisotropy-altering dimension, positioning the straddle packer assembly so as to provide a second route of fluid communication to the second fracturing interval of the subterranean formation via the injection port of the straddle-packer assembly; communicating a fluid to the second fracturing interval via the second route of fluid communication so as to induce a fracture within the second fracturing interval, wherein introduction of the fractures within the first and second fracturing intervals abets the horizontal stress anisotropy within the third fracturing interval by decreasing the horizontal stress anisotropy within the third fracturing interval, reversing the orientation of the stress anisotropy within the third fracturing interval, or both; positioning the straddle packer assembly so as to provide a third route of fluid communication to the third fracturing interval with the straddle-packer assembly; and communicating a fluid to the third fracturing interval via the third route of fluid communication so as to induce a fracture within the third fracturing interval.