Methods For Modeling Multiple Simultaneously Propagating Hydraulic Fractures

Methods for modeling hydraulic fractures using a geomechanical model of a formation and a completion design that includes a plurality of hydraulic fractures. A quantity of equivalent hydraulic fractures is selected to represent the plurality of hydraulic fractures. An equivalence ratio is determined using the quantity of equivalent hydraulic fractures and a fracture regime based on the geomechanical model and the completion design. The equivalence ratio is then used to update the geomechanical model and the completion design used as modeling inputs. The modeling results can then be modified using the equivalence ratio to compute a total surface area and fracture width of the plurality of hydraulic fractures.