Dr. Richard A. Schultz Principal Geomechanicist ConocoPhillips, Houston, Texas USA I work for ConocoPhillips Company in Houston, having retired from the University of Nevada effective June 30, 2011. This site summarizes my career and is maintained, with all parts including my publication list being current. Please feel free to contact me and thanks for visiting my site.

Dr. Richard A. Schultz, Principal Geomechanicist, ConocoPhillips Company. I am involved in all company portfolios and global assets involving geomechanics including unconventional and fractured reservoirs, novel production strategies, 3D geomechanics of reservoir/overburden systems, training, and knowledge sharing. You can also find me on LinkedIn.

Before joining ConocoPhillips I progressed through the academic ranks at the University of Nevada, Reno; I am now Foundation Professor of Geological Engineering and Geomechanics, Emeritus. While on the faculty of UNR, I taught courses in geological engineering, rock mechanics, and structural geology at as well as graduate classes in planetary geology and geologic fracture mechanics to solve problems in field-based structure and tectonics on the Earth and other planets. Much of my work on terrestrial and planetary problems was funded by NASA and involved international collaborations and colleagues at institutions such as the Université of Paris and Université Montpellier, France, and the University of Bergen, Norway. I serve on the Editorial Board of Lithosphere (2011–2013) and have served on the boards of Journal of Structural Geology and Journal of Geophysical Research. Some of my student project and research areas include:

• Deformation of porous rocks and formation of deformation band arrays
• Growth and significance of compaction bands
• Fracture hydrology
• Growth and displacement-length scaling of fractures, faults and deformation bands
• Fault restriction and the development of linkages and relay-ramps in stratified sedimentary sequences
• Faulting and tectonics on Mars and other planets and satellites in the Solar System
• Structural geology of impact craters and deformation at high strain rates
• Planetary slope stability
• Planetary thrust faults and thrust anticlines (wrinkle ridges)

Structural geology is an important part of fields such as geothermal energy, oil and gas exploration and production, precious metals exploration, tectonics and mountain building, and geologic hazards such as earthquakes and rock-slope stability. It is also key to understanding the geologic and tectonic evolution of other planets and satellites in our Solar System.