Patent ID: 7711487

Claim:
A computer program, stored in a computer-readable medium, for determining a time delay between initiation of a first fracture and initiation of a second fracture comprising executable instructions that cause at least one processor to: receive one or more outputs from one or more tilt meters, wherein the one or more tilt meters are configured to measure one or more stress fields of one or more affected layers during opening or closing of the first fracture; receive one or more outputs from a plurality microseismic receivers, wherein the plurality of microseismic receivers are configured to measure the one or more stress fields of the one or more affected layers during opening or closing of the first fracture; and wherein the time delay is determined based, at least in part, on the one or more stress fields of the one or more affected layers; where the time delay is a delay between the initiation of the first fracture and the initiation of the second fracture.