Dr Robert D. Valdez II is a rock and soil mechanics specialist with more than a decade of experience in geomechanics research for energy applications and active tectonics. His work focuses on the experimental characterization of subsurface material to support projects in CCUS, underground energy storage, and shallow geohazards.
He currently serves as a Rock Mechanics Specialist at the British Geological Survey, where he applies this expertise to a range of subsurface challenges. Recent work includes temporary and permanent CO₂ storage feasibility, energy storage in sandstone reservoirs, and nuclear waste disposal in mudstone host rocks. He also mentors PhD students and early-career researchers in experimental design, laboratory methods, and data analysis.
Robert holds a PhD in Geosciences from The Pennsylvania State University, where his research focused on the mechanical behaviour of major plate boundary fault systems. During his PhD, he participated in international scientific drilling programs (IODP and ICDP) as a shipboard and on-site scientist, contributing to expedition reports and associated peer-reviewed publications. He was also a visiting researcher at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST) in Tsukuba, Japan, where he conducted experimental studies on fault mechanics. Through this work, he developed expertise in experimental rock and soil mechanics and built strong collaborations with international laboratories.
Robert Valdez II’s biography:
- 2023 to present: Rock mechanics specialist, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham UK
- 2021 to 2023: Rock mechanics specialist & Laboratory manager, Stratum Reservoir, Houston TX USA
- 2018 to 2021: Geomechanics specialist, ExxonMobil – Upstream Research, Spring TX USA
- 2012 to 2018: PhD Geosciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park PA USA
- Dissertation title: Mechanical Behavior of Major Plate Boundary Fault Systems: Insights into the Stress State of the Nankai Subduction-Accretion Complex Offshore SW Japan and Slip Stability of the Alpine Fault Zone in New Zealand
- 2007 to 2011: BSc Geology, University of California – Riverside, Riverside California USA
Research interests
- Rock & soil mechanics
- Consolidation state & mechanical behaviour of sediments
- Stress-path dependent deformation of geomaterials
- Subsurface storage (CO2, energy, radioactive waste)
- Reservoir & caprock geomechanics (Conventional & unconventional)
- Experimental fault mechanics
- Experimental design & implementation
Key papers
- Crawford, B, Liang, Y, Gaillot, P, Amalokwu, K, Wu, X, and Valdez II, R. 2020, December. Determining static elastic anisotropy in shales from sidewall cores: Impact on stress prediction and hydraulic fracture modeling. In Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, 20–22 July 2020 (pp. 2547–2564). Unconventional Resources Technology Conference (URTEC).
- Reese, W C, Crawford, B R, Moore, P J, Freysteinson, J A, Amalokwu, K I, and Valdez II, R D., 2020, June. Stress dependent storage and transport properties in carbonate reservoir rocks: pore type and stress path effects. In 54th US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium. OnePetro.
- Valdez II, RD, Kitajima H, and Saffer DM. 2019. Effects of temperature on the frictional behaviour of material from the Alpine Fault Zone, New Zealand. Tectonophysics 762, 17–27.
- Valdez II, R D. Mechanical Behavior of Major Plate Boundary Fault Systems: Insights into the Stress State of the Nankai Subduction-Accretion Complex Offshore SW Japan and Slip Stability of the Alpine Fault Zone in New Zealand. [Dissertation].
- Sutherland, R, J, Townend, V, Toy, H, Tobin, Valdez II, R D et al., 2017. Extreme hydrothermal conditions at an active plate-bounding fault. Nature, 546 (7656), 137–140.
- Leeman, J R, Valdez II, R D, Alley, R B, Anandakrishnan, S, and Saffer, D M. 2016. Mechanical and Hydrologic Properties of Whillans Ice Stream Till: Implications for Basal Strength and Stick-Slip Failure. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface.
- Hornbach, M J, Manga, M, Genecov, M, Valdez II, R D, Miller, P, Saffer, D M, et al., 2015. Permeability and pressure measurements in the Lesser Antilles submarine slides: Evidence for pressure-driven slow-slip failure. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 120, 7986–8011, doi: 10.1002/2015JB01206
Data reports
- Valdez II, R D, and Ougier-Simonin, A. 2025. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) data of tests conducted on salt samples from the Northwich Halite Member. NERC EDS National Geoscience Data Centre. (Dataset).
- Valdez II, R D, Forbes Inskip, N D, and Ougier-Simonin, A. 2025. Triaxial compressive strength data of tests conducted at varying strain rates and confining pressures on salt samples from the Northwich Halite Member. NERC EDS National Geoscience Data Centre. (Dataset).
- Valdez II, R., Ougier-Simonin, A. (2025). Brazilian Disc Tensile Strength (BDTS) data of tests conducted on salt samples from the Northwich Halite Member. NERC EDS National Geoscience Data Centre. (Dataset).
- Valdez II, R., Forbes Inskip, N. D., Ougier-Simonin, A. 2025. Point Load Test (PLT) data on salt samples from the Northwich Halite Member. NERC EDS National Geoscience Data Centre. (Dataset).
- Valdez II, R D, Lauer, R M, Ikari, M J, Kitajima, H, and Saffer, D M. 2015. Data report: permeability and consolidation behaviour of sediments from the northern Japan Trench subduction zone, IODP Site C0019. In Chester, F M, Mori, J, Eguchi, N, Toczko, S, and the Expedition 343/343T Scientists, Proc. IODP, 343/343T: Tokyo (Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Management International, Inc.). doi: 10.2204/iodp.proc.343343T.201.2015.
Commissioned reports
- Cuss, R J, Valdez II, R D, Fellgett, M W, Parsons, R M, and Wiseall, A C. 2025. A review of laboratory and downhole geomechanical characterisation techniques for GDF host rock formations. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/25/034. 173pp.
- Valdez II, R D, and Ougier-Simonin, A. 2025. Geomechanical Review and Evaluation of Wellbore Stability, Fracture Containment, and Fracture Growth Models for the Sea Lion Field, North Falkland Basin. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/25/071. 19pp.
- Experimental Rock & Soil Mechanics
- Subsurface Geomechanics
- CCUS & Underground Energy Storage
- Reservoir Geomechanics & Caprock Integrity
- Fault Mechanics
- Laboratory Test Design & Programme Development
- Laboratory Management & Technical Oversight
- British Geotechnical Association (BGA)
- International Society for Rock Mechanics & Rock Engineering (ISRM)
- International Society for Soil Mechanics & Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE)
- British Standards Institution (BSI) – Committee B/526/7/3 (Field and Laboratory Testing)
- Association of Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Specialists (AGS) – BGS Representative