Patent ID: 6885944

Claim:
A method of determining the direction of the maximum horizontal stress (S H ) at a horizon within a prospect including the following steps: a) obtaining a plurality of seismic reflection lines within the prospect; b) selecting at least two seismic reflection lines which cross the prospect substantially in the direction of maximum dip; c) selecting at least one further seismic line which lies along a longitudinal axis of the prospect; d) identifying on the selected seismic lines at least one substantially vertical crust cutting fault; e) identifying on the selected seismic lines a plurality of horizons; f) determining and assigning the plurality of horizons with geological ages; g) identifying on the selected seismic lines at least one horizon produced during a compressional pulse period; h) selecting at least one horizon from step g which is cut by at least one of the identified crust cutting faults, i) mapping in plan the crust cutting fault at the horizon selected in step h, j) identifying at least one anticline within the horizon identified in step h, k) mapping in plan the anticline at the horizon identified in step j, l) selecting at least one mapped anticline which in plan view extends substantially parallel to the adjacent crust cutting faults mapped in step i wherein S H is substantially perpendicular to the selected anticlines in that horizon.