Hydraulic fracturing was first developed in the United States during the 1940s and has since spread internationally. A proven technology that is reaching deeper and tighter formations, hydraulic fracturing now delivers hydrocarbons from fields previously considered economically unviable. Essentials of Hydraulic Fracturing focuses on consolidating the fundamental basics of fracturing technology with advances in extended horizontal wellbores and fracturing applications. It provides the essentials required to understand fracturing behavior and offers advice for applying that knowledge to fracturing treatment design and application. Essentials of Hydraulic Fracturing is a long-awaited text for petroleum engineering students, industry-wide hydraulic fracturing training courses or seminars, and practicing fracturing treatment engineers. Features include:Understanding of fracture propagation geometry and fracture conductivity and how it affects treatment resultsA focus on safety and environmental prudenceEconomic optimization of fracturing treatmentsFracturing fluid system and propping agent performanceImportant considerations in designing the fracture treatment for both vertical and horizontal wellboresAlgorithms and examples pertinent to treatment design and analysisPre- and post-fracturing approaches and diagnostics for evaluating treatment performanceHydraulic fracturing model construction and applicabilityComparative design examplesConstruction of spreadsheet calculations key to treatment designs