Assistant Professor
Petroleum Engineering
NRB 351
Phone: 406-496-4479
E-mail Lee Richards
I received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Washington State University in 2001 and a Ph.D. from Montana State University in 2006. After graduating I went to work for Halliburton Energy Services and eventually for BP. For 10 years, I worked nearly exclusively in the field, mostly in drilling related positions.
I currently live in Bozeman with my wife and 2 dogs. I enjoy hunting, fishing, snow skiing and shotgun sports.
My research interests include remediation of wellsite waste material. Microbiological interactions in drilling muds and associated waste material. I am also interested in cuttings transport in extended reach wellbores and optimization of drilling rig mobility.
Advisor for Montana Tech Student SPE student chapter.
Advisor for Montana Tech Petrobowl Club.
Advisor for Montana Tech Shotgun Shotgun Sports Club.
Assistant Professor, Petroleum Engineering, Montana Tech, August 2015 – Present
Consulting Engineer, Richards Engineering, November 2016-Present
Assistant Subsea Supervisor, BP America, October 2014 – Present
Well Site Leader of the Future, BP America, April 2013 – October 2014
Drilling Fluids Engineer, Halliburton Energy Services: Baroid Division, Wyoming, North Dakota, 2006-2013