Abstract Over the past two decades, microseismic monitoring has become the most widely used approach to understand of in-situ reservoir behavior during hydraulic fracture stimulations. From early monitoring performed in the Barnett Shale to current programs in the Horn River, Eagle Ford and Marcellus formations, we review the evolution of microseismic monitoring from the viewpoint of data collection (single versus multi-well array configurations, use of long lateral stimulation wells), data analysis and the incorporation of geology and microseismic parameters to constrain and validate reservoir models. We conclude with a look at multi-array microseismic results from hydraulic fracture stimulations of various North American shale plays to illustrate how microseismic analysis assists in understanding the role geology and treatment programs play in hydraulic fracturing and in turn, helps to plan more effective stimulation programs. We highlight case studies where microseismic monitoring was used to help assess fracture dimensions, stage spacing and well spacing. In addition, we look at how the use of advanced analysis techniques such as seismic moment tensor inversion (SMTI) has helped propel the industry forward and allowed operators to gain a better estimate of the stimulated reservoir volume, the discrete fracture network and effective fluid flow in the reservoir by understanding individual rupture mechanisms and how these mechanisms change depending on treatment program, local stresses and local geology. Biography Sheri Bowman-Young is an engineer and senior level manager with ESG’s global energy services division, where she oversees all analysis, interpretation and reporting for microseismic projects related to hydraulic fracture mapping and reservoir monitoring. Sheri joined ESG in 2007 as a geophysicist and has since held positions of Geophysical Analyst, Project Manager and Manager of Data Services. Sheri has played an integral role in the growth of ESG’s FRACMAP services, leading efforts to better understand microsiesmic data beyond traditional event location while educating operators on the additional value that can be extracted from microseismic datasets. Sheri is a registered professional engineer (P.Eng.) and a member of the SPE and SEG. She holds dual degrees from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario in Applied Math & Mechanical Engineering and Geological Sciences and has authored or presented over 20 papers on microseismic monitoring.