Richard A. Schultz

LAST 2 YEARS:

ABET: none

Undergraduate Technical Electives:

1. PTRE 493-03/04 Selected Topics in Petro Engr (Lecture): Fracture Mechanics of Rock, 3 cr

Graduate:

1. PTRE 501-03 Graduate Cooperative Education, 2 cr total over Fall and Spring semesters
2. ENE 591-03/04 Research in Energy Engineering, variable cr
3. PTRE 593-03/04 Selected Topics in Petro Engr (Lecture): Fracture Mechanics of Rock, 3 cr
4. ENE 999-03/04 Dissertation (Research), variable cr

(EPE Note: Please use the following format when listing your courses: PREFIX 405 "Title of Course," x credits, on-campus/online [please specify], (Fall 2024).

Last 2 (TWO) years only please, including the current one (i.e., Academic year 2023-2024, Fall-Spring-summer) & Academic year 2024-2025, Fall-Spring-summer).

Topical Areas:

1. Underground energy storage, including: Natural Gas, Hydrogen, and Compressed Air
2. Underground product sequestration, including: CO2, Produced water (SWD)
3. Public engagement in energy storage and energy security

Active Research Projects and Resources:

1. none

LAST 5 YEARS

Books and Edited Volumes:

1. Miocic, J., N. Heinemann, K. Edlmann, J. Alcalde, and R.A. Schultz, editors (2023), Enabling Secure Subsurface Storage in Future Energy Systems, Geological Society of London Special Publication, 528, https://doi.org/10.1144/SP528, 514 p., August 31, 2023, ISBN 9781786205766 (#1 most cited SP for 2023).
2. Schultz, R.A. (2019), Geologic Fracture Mechanics, Cambridge University Press, 608 p., ISBN 9781107189997, available at Publisher and Amazon (published worldwide in September 2019).
3. Schultz, R.A., guest editor (2019), Special Issue containing the best and keynote peer-reviewed papers from ARMA’s 52nd US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, in Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 52, 4863–5821.

Chapters in Books and Edited Volumes:

1. Miocic, J., N. Heinemann, K. Edlmann, J. Alcalde, and R.A. Schultz (2023), Enabling secure subsurface storage in future energy systems: an introduction, in Enabling Secure Subsurface Storage in Future Energy Systems, edited by J. Miocic, N. Heinemann, K. Edlmann, J. Alcalde, and R.A. Schultz, Geological Society of London Special Publication, 528, pp. 1–14, https://doi.org/10.1144/SP528-2023-5 (published online August 26, 2022).
2. Babarinde, O., B. Schwartz, J. Meng, S. Kim, J. Segura, R.A. Schultz, and H. Soroush (2023), An overview of carbon sequestration and its geomechanical aspects, in Enabling Secure Subsurface Storage in Future Energy Systems, edited by J. Miocic, N. Heinemann, K. Edlmann, J. Alcalde, and R.A. Schultz, Geological Society of London Special Publication, 528, pp. 61–72, https://doi.org/10.1144/SP528-2022-51 (published online August 26, 2023).
3. Schultz, R.A., N. Heinemann, B. Horváth, J. Wickens, J.M. Miocic, O.O. Babarinde, W. Cao, P. Capuano, T.A. Dewers, M. Dusseault, K. Edlmann, R.A. Goswick, A. Hassanpouryouzband, T. Husain, W. Jin, J. Meng, S. Kim, F. Molaei, T. Odunlami, U. Prasad, Q. Lei, B.A. Schwartz, J.M. Segura, H. Soroush, S. Voegeli, S. Williams-Stroud, H. Yu, and Q. Zhao (2023), An overview of underground energy-related product storage and sequestration, in Enabling Secure Subsurface Storage in Future Energy Systems, edited by J. Miocic, N. Heinemann, K. Edlmann, J. Alcalde, and R.A. Schultz, Geological Society of London Special Publication, 528, pp. 15–35, https://doi.org/10.1144/SP528-2022-160 (published online October 27, 2022).
4. Schultz, R.A., S. Williams-Stroud, B. Horváth, J.M. Wickens, H. Bernhardt, W. Cao, P. Capuano, T.A. Dewers, R.A. Goswick, Q. Lei, M. McClure, U. Prasad, B.A. Schwartz, H. Yu, S. Voegeli, and Q. Zhao (2023), Underground energy-related product storage and sequestration: Site characterisation, risk analysis, and monitoring, in Enabling Secure Subsurface Storage in Future Energy Systems, edited by J. Miocic, N. Heinemann, K. Edlmann, J. Alcalde, and R.A. Schultz, Geological Society of London Special Publication, 528, pp. 37–59, https://doi.org/10.1144/SP528-2022-66?ref=pdf&rel=cite-as&jav=AM (published online September 28, 2022).

Peer-Reviewed Journal Papers:

1. Hibbard, L., White, J.A., D.G. Clarke, S. Harrison, R.A. Schultz, A. Goodman, F. Hasiuk, and N. Huerta (2025), Underground hydrogen storage resource assessment for Cook Inlet, Alaska, Applied Energy, 377, 124135, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.124135.
2. Hou, Z., K. Qiu, A. Rogowitz, R.A. Schultz, J. Deng, and B. Grasemann (2024), Progressive development of stylolites in cryptocrystalline quartz from western Sichuan Basin, China, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 136, B37461 https://doi.org/10.1130/B37461.1.
3. Lee, H.P., R.A. Schultz, and J.E. Olson (2022), Inferring friction and stress states from the angle between wing fractures and solution surfaces, Journal of Structural Geology, 162, 104706, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2022.104706.
4. Schultz, R.A., and D.J. Evans (2020), Occurrence frequencies and uncertainties for US underground natural gas storage facilities by state, Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 84, 103630, December 15, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2020.103630.
5. Yue, K., H.P. Lee, J.E. Olson, and R.A. Schultz (2020), Apparent fracture toughness for LEFM applications in hydraulic fracture modeling, Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 230, 106984, May 1, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2020.106984.
6. Schultz, R.A., D.W. Hubbard, D.J. Evans, and S.L. Savage (2019), Characterization of historical methane occurrence frequencies from US underground natural gas storage facilities with implications for risk management, operations, and regulatory policy, Risk Analysis, 39, https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.13417 published online November 6, 2019 (printed as Risk Analysis, 40, March 2020, 588–607). Corrigendum, Risk Analysis, 41, published online February 6, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.13710.
7. Yue, K., J.E. Olson, and R.A. Schultz (2019), The effect of layered modulus on fracture modeling and height containment, SPE-195683-PA, SPE Drilling & Completion, 34, https://doi:10.2118/195683-PA.
8. Almansour, A., S.E. Laubach, J.E. Bickel, and R.A. Schultz (2019), Value of information analysis of a fracture prediction method, paper SPE-198906-PA, SPE Reservoir Evaluation & Engineering, 22, https://doi:10.2118/198906-PA.

Invited Presentations:

1. Science and Energy in the USA: Spring 2025, presented to the International Gas Union, Underground Storage (UGS) Committee Spring Meeting, Budapest, Hungary, March, 2025.
2. Invited panelist, “Hydrogen TCP Task42 External Stakeholder Webinar: Building Confidence in UHS: Summary of final outcomes of TCP-Task42,” January 15, 2025.
3. The future of petroleum engineering in American universities, presented to the International Gas Union, Underground Storage (UGS) Committee Spring Meeting, Gdansk, Poland, October 10, 2024.
4. Renewable energy storage developments in USA – 2024, presented to the International Gas Union, Underground Storage (UGS) Committee Spring Meeting, Paris, France, April 10–11, 2024.
5. Underground hydrogen storage: The missing link in low-carbon energy systems, Keynote presented to the University of North Dakota’s ARMA Student Chapter, January 23, 2024.
6. Perspectives on SEL and UHS in the USA, presented at the Workshop on SEL, IEA Task 42 UHS webinar, September 20, 2023.
7. Renewable energy storage – Developments in USA, presented to the International Gas Union, Underground Storage (UGS) Committee Spring Meeting, Brno, Czech Republic, June 1, 2023.
8. Underground hydrogen storage: The missing link in low-carbon energy systems, presented to OMV Exploration & Production GmbH, Vienna, Austria, May 17, 2023.
9. Underground hydrogen storage: The missing link in low-carbon energy systems, presented to the Austrian Geological Society, Vienna, Austria, May 4, 2023.
10. Underground hydrogen storage: The missing link in low-carbon energy systems, presented to Université Montpellier II, conférences appliquées, France, April 20, 2023.
11. Underground hydrogen storage in depleted fields: Status and challenges, extended seminar and discussion presented at TotalEnergies, Pau, France, December 16, 2022 (virtual).
12. Results from subtask F, presented at the Task 42 meeting and workshop, Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (JU), Brussels, Belgium, International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Hydrogen Technology Collaboration Programme (Hydrogen TCP), Task 42: Underground Hydrogen Storage Workplan, Brussels, Belgium, 17–18 November 2022.
13. Schultz, R.A., and S. Green, Opening remarks, presented at “Emerging Opportunities in Geologic Hydrogen Storage and Carbon Sequestration Workshop,” ARMA 56th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, Santa Fe, New Mexico, June 30, 2022.
14. Traps, faults, and how to seal a gas storage reservoir, and Overview of underground gas and energy product storage, presented at TopCorp training for state oil-and-gas inspectors, Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin, April 7 and 21, 2022; also May 12, 2024.
15. Underground energy storage and the energy transition, seminar presented to the Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering Program, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, 27 October 2021 (Thomas Finkbeiner, sponsor; presentation given remotely).
16. Challenges to providing containment integrity for US underground natural gas storage facilities, presented at the ARMA Student Chapter, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, March 12, 2020.
17. Challenges to providing containment integrity for US underground natural gas storage facilities, presented to the Structural Processes Group, Institut für Geologie, Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria, May 12, 2020 (presentation given remotely).
18. Integrated energy storage opportunities in California (with J. Harris), presentation to potential clients and stakeholders, February 5, 2019.
19. How can we characterize leakage risk at underground natural gas storage facilities? presented at Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin, March 29, 2019.
20. Certification of US underground natural gas storage facilities, presented at Underground Storage Committee meeting, International Gas Union, Prague, Czech Republic, May 21–22, 2019.
21. Natural gas storage opportunities in the US, presented to Nafta a.s., Bratislava, Slovakia, May 24, 2019.

Conference Papers:

1. Josephs, R.E., and R.A. Schultz (2024), Levelized cost of hydrogen storage (LCOHS): An analysis of underground storage in North Dakota, presented at 41st USAEE/IAEE North American Conference, November 3–6, 2024 https://virtual.oxfordabstracts.com/#/event/43962/submission/116.

Contributed Presentations (no companion paper):

1. Melichar, R., Baron, I., M. Rowberry, J. Jelenek, L. Sokol, M. Papí Isaba, C. Freudenthaler, H. Hausmann, L. Plan, B. Grasemann, J. Stemberk, J. Balek, R.A. Schultz, and R. Bürgmann (2024), Unusual fault kinematic behaviour and near-surface crustal stress variations before and during an earthquake series in the Vienna Basin (Austria) in Spring 2021, presented at the Annual Meeting of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), 19 April 2024, Geophysical Research Abstracts, 26, EGU/2024.
2. Buscheck, T.A., J.A. White, and R.A. Schultz (2024), Recommended practices for developing and operating subsurface hydrogen storage facilities, presented at the SHASTA Technical Workshop, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 3, 2024.
3. Overview, key recommendations, and current progress on Subtask F, presented at the IEA Task 42 UHS External Stakeholder Webinar, October 12, 2023.
4. Mège, D., J. Gurgurewicz, F. Schmitt, R.A. Schultz, S. Douté, and B. Langlais, (2022), Hydrothermal activity at the edge of the Borealis impact basin in Valles Marineris, Lunar and Planetary Science LIII; Houston, Texas, March 2022.
5. Mège, D., J. Gurgurewicz, F. Schmitt, R.A. Schultz, S. Douté, and B. Langlais, (2022), Hydrothermal activity at the edge of the Borealis impact basin in Valles Marineris, EPSC2022-116, Europlanet Science Congress 2022, Palacio de Congresos de Granada, Spain, 22 September 2022, https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/link_gateway/2022EPSC...16..116M/doi:10.5194/epsc2022-116.
6. Schultz, R.A., and D.J. Evans (2021), Bayesian occurrence frequencies for US underground natural gas storage facilities, paper IPPTC 20218904 presented at International Petroleum and Petrochemical Technology Conference on “Transforming Oil & Natural Gas Industry through Intelligence,” Beijing, China, 8–10 June 2021 (presentation given remotely).
7. Schultz, R.A., B.A. Schwartz, and the Underground Storage and Utilization Technical Committee of ARMA (2021), Toward net-zero: Securing the nation’s energy supply through underground energy storage and utilization, presented at the 2021 Annual Forum of the Ground Water Protection Council, session on “Energy Issues & Trends,” Salt Lake City, Utah, September 28, 2021 (presentation given remotely).
8. Gurgurewicz, J., D. Mège, F. Schmitt, R.A. Schultz, S. Douté, and B. Langlais, (2021), Megashears at the crustal dichotomy in Valles Marineris and implications for metalliferous mineralizations, presented at the 3rd National Mars Science Seminar, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland, 22 October 2021.
9. Mège, D., J. Gurgurewicz,, F. Schmitt, R.A. Schultz, S. Douté, and B. Langlais, (2021), The proto-Valles Marineris history illuminated by the interacting Martian dynamo and crustal dichotomy, presented at the 3rd National Mars Science Seminar, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland, 22 October 2021.
10. Schultz, R.A., B.A. Schwartz, and the ARMA Underground Product Storage and Utilization Technical Committee (2021), Underground energy storage and utilization: Critical issues and future opportunities, presented at the 2nd ARMA / DGS / SEG International Geomechanics Symposium, session on “Energy Storage, CO2 Sequestration, and Geothermal,” Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, November 1–4, 2021 (presentation given remotely)
11. Schultz, R.A., and D.J. Evans (2020), State-by-state comparison of off-normal occurrence frequencies for US underground natural gas storage facilities, presented at the Annual Meeting of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), 5 May 2020, Geophysical Research Abstracts, 22, EGU/2020–1387 (presentation given remotely due to global Covid-19 pandemic).
12. Schultz, R.A., and D.J. Evans (2020), Occurrence frequencies and uncertainties for underground natural gas storage facilities, paper IFEDC 20206338 presented at International Field Exploration and Development Conference on “Efficient Development of Oil and Gas Driven by Digitalization,” Chengdu, China, 23–25 September 2020 (presentation given remotely).
13. Mège, D., J. Gurgurewicz, S. Douté, F. Schmitt, and R.A. Schultz (2019), Regional-scale brittle-plastic deformation on Valles Marineris floor: Identification and implications, in Lunar and Planetary Science L, #2064.
14. Schultz, R.A., D.W. Hubbard, D.J. Evans, and S.L. Savage (2019), Characterizing off-normal occurrence and leakage risk at underground natural gas storage facilities, presented at the 4th Applied Geoscience Geomechanics Conference: Through the Life Cycle of the Field, Houston Geological Society, November 6–7, 2019.
15. Schultz, R.A., D.W. Hubbard, D.J. Evans, and S.L. Savage (2019), Bayesian benchmarking of off-normal occurrence rates for US underground natural gas storage facilities, Eos (Transactions, American Geophysical Union), 100, supplement, PA21B–1130, doi:10.1002/essoar.10501131.1.

Citations:

1. ResearchGate
2. Web of Science (Clarivate)
3. Google Scholar

(EPE Note: Submitted abstracts, papers, or whatnot are NOT to be listed! Only in-press (i.e., formally accepted by the editor) and published items can appear in your listings.)

Professional Registration:

1. Registered and licensed as a Professional Geologist (P.G.), Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists, State of Texas, #11755 (since 2014).

Certifications:

1. Certificate, “Human Dimensions of Organizations—with concentration in Organizational Improvement,” The University of Texas at Austin (March 2017). ‘The Organizational Improvement Certificate Program from Human Dimensions of Organizations at UT Austin[1] prepared participants to build and lead better-functioning organizations. Participants were given the tools to (1) influence decision-making and productively manage change; (2) be more capable and ethical leaders during times of adversity and/or transition; (3) communicate effectively, especially in relation to project management; and (4) reduce instances of and minimize the impact of human error.’
2. Certificate, “Strategic Project Management,” Rice University (May 2019). ‘The need for strategic project management experience in business was shown in the widening talent gap between the requirements of employers and availability to fill roles[2]. Traditionally, project management focused on the application of tactics, but modern business required a defined strategy to make these tactics effective. Strategic project management has stepped in to this gap, transforming the value of project managers. This online short course moved beyond the basics of traditional project management: learners acquired knowledge of how to apply strategic thinking by aligning project, program, or portfolio goals with an organization’s strategic goals.’
3. Certificate, “ESG: Navigating the Board’s Role,” University of California Berkeley School of Law Executive Education (July 2021). The course was ‘geared towards current and aspiring directors who are building their foundational knowledge of the role of corporate boards in ESG oversight.’

Awards:

1. Continental Resources Distinguished Professorship
2. Presidential Citation in recognition of the American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA)’s Monthly News Crew, shared with Wencheng Jin, Wenzhuo Cao, Jerjes Porlles, Hui Wu, and Teeratorn Kadeethum.
3. Presidential Citation for dedicated service in managing the technical program for the 52nd US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, American Rock Mechanics Association.
4. Fellow, Geological Society of America

[1] Description from https://hdo.utexas.edu/certificate-programs/, their option 2.

[2] Description of course materials and expectations from https://glasscockcatalog.rice.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=29181.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, U.S. National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council, at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, 1988–1990; Dr. Hebert V. Frey, Mentor

Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana; Ph.D., Geology, December 1987; concentration and dissertation in Quantitative Structural Geology, Geomechanics, and Fault and Fracture Mechanics; Dr. Atilla Aydin, Dissertation advisor

Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona; M.S., Geology, May 1982; concentration and thesis in Planetary Structural Geology (Mars); Dr. Michael Malin, Thesis advisor

Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey; B.A., Geology, May 1979; concentration and thesis in Meteoritics (Petersburg howardite); Dr. Roger Hewins, Senior thesis advisor

Currently the Continental Resources Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering at the University of North Dakota

Previously:

• Senior Research Scientist at The University of Texas at Austin
• Principal Geomechanicist with ConocoPhillips
• Foundation Professor of Geological Engineering and Geomechanics (now Emeritus) with the University of Nevada, Reno.

Proposals Submitted:

1. Mechanisms of Geochemical & Microbial Processes Affecting Hydrogen Flow Dynamics in UHS Systems (H. Jabbari, UND, PI); American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund New Directions Grants; $125,000, pending. RASchultz is an unnpaid collaborator.
2. Subsurface Hydrogen Assessment, Storage, and Technology Acceleration (SHASTA): Phase 1.5 Extension; U.S. Department of Energy; Subcontract Number B655896 to LLNL; $65,000. 2024-2025.

Grants Awarded:

• Active

1. Subsurface Hydrogen Assessment, Storage, and Technology Acceleration (SHASTA; A. Goodman, National Energy Technology Laboratory, PI; N. Huerta, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Co-PI; J. White, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Co-PI); U.S. Department of Energy (Office of Oil & Natural Gas, and Office of Fossil Energy & Carbon Management); Subcontract Number B655896 to LLNL; $6,750,000 (Schultz portion, $100,000). 2022-2024. [Project is to Orion Geomechanics LLC].

• Completed

1. University Professor of Fracture Mechanics (Guest Professor, May–June 2023): Stylolites at micro, outcrop, and regional scales. Structural Processes Group, Department für Geodynamik und Sedimentologie, Universität Wien, Austria; € 6,672 ($6,906).

LAST 5 YEARS:

Students Advised (as committee chair):

• Ph.D.

1. Rachael Josephs (Energy Engineering)

• M.S.

1. none

• B.S.

1. none

(EPE Note: Do not list students where you are only serving on their committees)
(EPE Note: Please use the following format when listing your students: First name, last name, "Dissertation/Thesis Title," # pages [if completed]; current position [e.g., Data Analysist, SLB, Cambbridge, MA, USA]).

Advisory Committees and Funding Agency Panels:

1. International Energy Agency (IEA), Hydrogen Technology Collaboration Programme (Hydrogen TCP), Task 42: Underground Hydrogen Storage Workplan. Task Coordination Team (TCT); Co-Lead, Subtask F: “Planning, Regulation, Safety & Society;” Participant, Subtask B: “Storage Integrity”
2. International Gas Union (IGU), Gas Storage Working Committee (WOC2; invited US delegate)
3. Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC); Standing committees on "Energy Resources, Research, and Technology" and "Environment & Safety"
4. Board of Directors, American Rock Mechanics Association; member, Bylaws Committee, Membership Committee, Finance Committee

Editorial Boards:

1. Enabling Secure Subsurface Storage in Future Energy Systems (with J. Miocic, N. Heinemann, K. Edlmann, J. Alcalde), Geological Society of London Special Publication, 528, https://doi.org/10.1144/SP528 (2021–2023)
2. GeoScience Engineering
3. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering (guest editor)

Other:

1. Founding Chair, Distinguished Service Award Selection Committee (ARMA)
2. Founding Chair, Underground Storage and Utilization Technical Committee (ARMA)

American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA)

National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD)

Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)

Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC)

BoardSource (nonprofits)

American Geophysical Union (AGU)

Geological Society of America (GSA)

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)

European Geosciences Union (EGU)