Phenomenological approach to simulating hydraulic fracturing of a stratum

A mathematical model for hydraulic fracturing is proposed. The model is based on the presentation of the fractured portion of the stratum adjacent to the well as a heterogeneous fractured porous medium. Assumptions usually used in the theory of elastic flow are applied. Formulas for determining the size of the hydraulic fracturing zone and the degree of fracture opening under conditions of relative equilibrium are derived.