A method of drilling a well (22, 24, 26) in a subsurface geological structure to a location in a subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir indicated by a natural fracture network model of the reservoir, comprising the steps of: obtaining reservoir parameters representing properties of the subsurface reservoir for processing in a data processing system; forming the natural fracture network model by processing the obtained reservoir parameters in the data processing system to identify fracture properties comprising the character, location, and stress conditions (σ, τ) of natural fractures at locations in the subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir by performing the steps of: performing a critical stress analysis comprising: determining critical stresses of the natural fractures using normal stress and shear stress; and identifying a portion of the natural fractures as hydraulically conductive based on the critical stresses; determining fracture distribution based on the obtained reservoir parameters; forming a measure of estimated fracture properties of the subsurface reservoir based on the determined fracture distribution; obtaining based on the formed estimate of reservoir fracture properties an estimated reservoir flow capacity; obtaining an indicated flow capacity of the reservoir; comparing the estimated reservoir flow capacity with indicated flow capacity of the reservoir; if the estimated reservoir flow capacity is within acceptable limits of accuracy of the indicated flow capacity, drilling the well in the subsurface geological structure to a location in the subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir based on the identified portion of natural fractures in the subsurface geological structure, and, if not, determining an adjusted fracture distribution and adjusting the formed estimate of reservoir fracture properties based on the adjusted fracture distribution, and repeating the steps of forming a measure of estimated fracture properties, obtaining an estimated reservoir flow capacity, and comparing the estimated reservoir flow capacity. obtaining reservoir parameters representing properties of the subsurface reservoir for processing in a data processing system; forming the natural fracture network model by processing the obtained reservoir parameters in the data processing system to identify fracture properties comprising the character, location, and stress conditions (σ, τ) of natural fractures at locations in the subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir by performing the steps of: performing a critical stress analysis comprising: determining critical stresses of the natural fractures using normal stress and shear stress; and identifying a portion of the natural fractures as hydraulically conductive based on the critical stresses; determining fracture distribution based on the obtained reservoir parameters; forming a measure of estimated fracture properties of the subsurface reservoir based on the determined fracture distribution; obtaining based on the formed estimate of reservoir fracture properties an estimated reservoir flow capacity; obtaining an indicated flow capacity of the reservoir; comparing the estimated reservoir flow capacity with indicated flow capacity of the reservoir; if the estimated reservoir flow capacity is within acceptable limits of accuracy of the indicated flow capacity, drilling the well in the subsurface geological structure to a location in the subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir based on the identified portion of natural fractures in the subsurface geological structure, and, if not, determining an adjusted fracture distribution and adjusting the formed estimate of reservoir fracture properties based on the adjusted fracture distribution, and repeating the steps of forming a measure of estimated fracture properties, obtaining an estimated reservoir flow capacity, and comparing the estimated reservoir flow capacity. performing a critical stress analysis comprising: determining critical stresses of the natural fractures using normal stress and shear stress; and identifying a portion of the natural fractures as hydraulically conductive based on the critical stresses; determining critical stresses of the natural fractures using normal stress and shear stress; and identifying a portion of the natural fractures as hydraulically conductive based on the critical stresses; determining fracture distribution based on the obtained reservoir parameters; forming a measure of estimated fracture properties of the subsurface reservoir based on the determined fracture distribution; obtaining based on the formed estimate of reservoir fracture properties an estimated reservoir flow capacity; obtaining an indicated flow capacity of the reservoir; comparing the estimated reservoir flow capacity with indicated flow capacity of the reservoir; if the estimated reservoir flow capacity is within acceptable limits of accuracy of the indicated flow capacity, drilling the well in the subsurface geological structure to a location in the subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir based on the identified portion of natural fractures in the subsurface geological structure, and, if not, determining an adjusted fracture distribution and adjusting the formed estimate of reservoir fracture properties based on the adjusted fracture distribution, and repeating the steps of forming a measure of estimated fracture properties, obtaining an estimated reservoir flow capacity, and comparing the estimated reservoir flow capacity.