Abstract: Structural weak surfaces formed by geological structures such as unconformity and thin interlayer, etc. will lead to interlayer slip and restrain the growth of hydraulic fracture height. The fractures geometrics tend to distorting into complex fractures with horizontal components, which could not be modeled and quantitatively analyzed by conventional method. In order to determine the effect of the interlayer slip on hydraulic fracture height growth, this paper presents dynamic and static stress intensity factors to develop a mathematical model based on the theory of equivalent planar fracture. The mathematical model involves a series of parameters such as net pressure, fracture height, in?situ stress, fracture toughness, horizontal interval length and its distance from central fracture. The computed result shows that the pressure drops formed by vertical distorting structure could be higher than the stress difference of interlayers or barriers, and the interlayer slip has a significant controlling effect on the hydraulic fracture height growth. Therefore, in the process of well? and layer?selection for hydraulic fracturing, the fracturing starting?up position should be properly arranged near the thin layers so as to decrease the fracture height propagation and increase the fracture length