Richard Spaulding has been a Research Geologist at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in Pittsburgh since 2015. He has a B.S. in Environmental Science from Robert Morris University and a M.S. in Geology and Planetary

Sciences (Geophysics focus) from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a member of the wellbore integrity team at NETL and focuses his research on wellbore materials’ (cement/rock) mechanical response to different subsurface applications and environments (CO2/H2 Storage, Offshore, Unconventional, etc.). His primary research focus has been on the physical (porosity/permeability) and mechanical properties (Young’s Modulus/Poisson’s ratio/etc.) of these materials when exposed to subsurface fluids and conditions. Recently, his work is focused on effective well plugging methods and materials used in plug and abandonment (P&A) of oil and gas wells. This research includes studying sodium bentonite gel concentrations, Type 1L cement, and plug placement techniques.