Method for determining maximum horizontal stress magnitude and direction using microseismic derived fracture attributes and its application to evaluating hydraulic fracture stimulation induced stress changes

A method for determining maximum horizontal stress magnitude and direction in a subsurface formation, comprising:

• pumping an hydraulic fracturing fluid into the subsurface formations;
• detecting seismic energy in a plurality of seismic sensors disposed in a selected pattern proximate the subsurface formation
• entering into a computer recordings of the seismic energy detected proximate the sub surface formation;
• in the computer, determining hypocenters of microseismic events from the recordings;
• in the computer, determining a focal mechanism for each microseismic event;
• entering into the computer a measurement corresponding to vertical stress magnitude at a depth of the subsurface formation;
• in the computer, using the focal mechanism to determine a maximum horizontal stress direction;
• entering into the computer a measurement corresponding to a depth normalized minimum horizontal stress magnitude;
• in the computer, determining a depth normalized maximum horizontal stress magnitude using the focal mechanism and the depth normalized minimum horizontal stress magnitude;
• and
• at least one of displaying and recording the determined depth normalized maximum horizontal stress.