Efficient stimulation of formation using micro-proppants

A method of stimulating petroleum production comprises introducing a fracturing fluid into a petroleum formation, thereby creating at least one fracture to stimulate the petroleum production, wherein:

• the fracturing fluid is introduced into the petroleum formation at a pressure above the breakdown pressure of the petroleum formation;
• the fracturing fluid comprises a plurality of proppants;
• from 5 to 50 wt. % of the plurality of proppants comprises micro proppants having a particle size ranging from 0.5 to 150 μm;
• from 50 to 95 wt. % of the plurality of proppants comprises macro proppants having a particle size greater than 100 mesh;
• a first volume of the fracturing fluid is introduced, wherein the first volume is 5 to 15 vol. % of the fracturing fluid and the first volume comprises proppants from 0.5 μm to 100 μm in diameter, and at least 80 wt. % of the proppants in the first volume of the fracturing fluid are from 0.5 μm to 100 μm in diameter;
• then a second volume of the fracturing fluid is introduced, wherein the second volume is 5 to 70 vol. % of the fracturing fluid, and the second volume comprises a population of proppant particles, the population of proppant particles in the second volume of the fracturing fluid comprises proppants 0.5 μm to 150 μm in 1-50 wt. % ratio and 50-99 wt. % proppants with diameters from 105 μm to 250 μm in diameter;
• then a final volume of the fracturing fluid is introduced, wherein the final volume is 10 to 30 vol. % of the fracturing fluid, and the final volume comprises proppants larger than 250 μm in diameter, and at least 80 wt. % of the proppants in the final volume of the fracturing fluid are larger than 250 μm in diameter.