US Patent 11085282 Adaptive hydraulic fracturing controller for controlled breakdown technology

A method for hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation includes sending a first command from a controller to a pump to achieve a first target flow rate for a fracturing fluid being injected into a subterranean formation during a fracturing operation. Monitoring an injection property of the fracturing operation. Determining a rate of change of the pressure over a first time period. Determining, by the controller, a second target flow rate based, at least in part, on the rate of change of the pressure. Sending a second command from the controller to the pump to achieve the second target flow rate for the fracturing fluid.