TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractHigh permeability fracturing, commonly referred to as a frac&pack treatment, is becoming an increasingly popular completion option for both well productivity improvement and sand control in poorly consolidated formations. This paper presents an efficient and effective economic optimization scheme for hydraulic fractures in high permeability formations. The optimization scheme incorporates global optimization algorithms that simultaneously optimize all of the treatment parameters, including fracture dimensions, while accounting for the required constraints. The scheme is not dependent on specific fracture geometry or production prediction models, and the optimization algorithms are more efficient than the approaches currently used. Parametric studies were conducted, and some general trends and guidelines were observed. Field data from frac&pack treatments were reviewed and compared to the findings of this research. A review of field data indicates that the results of our optimization scheme are realistic, confirming some of the conclusions derived from the parametric studies and suggesting that this approach can be a useful tool for designing fracture treatments in high permeability reservoirs.