Nano-indentation test to determine mechanical properties of reservoir rock

A method comprising:

• performing an experimental nano-indentation test on a heterogeneous rock sample;
• performing a numerical nano-indentation test on a numerical model of the heterogeneous rock sample generated based on estimated mechanical properties of the heterogeneous rock sample;
• comparing an experimental force-displacement curve obtained in response to performing the experimental nano-indentation test and a numerical curve obtained in response to performing the numerical multi-stage test;
• determining that the experimental force-displacement curve and the numerical curve do not match;
• in response to determining that the experimental force-displacement curve and the numerical curve do not match:
• (a) adjusting the estimated mechanical properties of the heterogeneous sample,
• (b) generating a modified numerical model of the heterogeneous rock sample based on the adjusted estimated mechanical properties,
• (c) performing the numerical nano-indentation test on the modified numerical model, and
• (d) repeating steps (a), (b) and (c) until the experimental force-displacement curve matches the numerical curve.