Performing hydraulic fracturing treatments in hydrocarbon bearing formations with no stress barriers

Abstract

Systems and methods of fracturing a formation lacking natural stress barriers are disclosed. The systems and methods include introducing a low-permeability solids mixture into a target formation; introducing a pad into the target formation to form a fracture and sweep or distribute the solids mixture within the target formation. The distributed solids mixture interacts with the target formation to form in-situ barriers within the target formation. The in-situ barriers limit an amount of fracture height growth. A primary proppant stage is applied the target formation to increase conductivity of the formation and increase a width of the fracture. Introduction of the solids mixture, the pad, and a primary proppant introduced during the primary proppant stage are introduced into the target formation at the same location or locations within the target formation.