The application of hydraulic fracturing technology has caused a boom in Bakken oil production since 2000. The geomechanics tests need to be used in optimization of hydraulic design and mechanical properties are important factors that control or influence fracture geometry. Conventionally, in order to know Young's modulus, the industry either uses cores to carry out dynamic and static tests on plugs or sonic logs. These methods are more expensive comparing with nanoindentation.

In this study, nanoindentation tests were performed on core samples from Middle and Lower Bakken Formation. This work is especially useful for the optimization of drilling activities, as well as hydraulic fracturing operations in Bakken fields.

Finite element method has been extensively used to characterize mechanical properties of rock samples from Bakken formation by simulating nanoindentation procedures. The information from strain can help us to obtain the basic properties of rock samples.