Identity
RING (Research for Integrative Numerical Geology) is an academic research team of École Nationale Supérieure de Géologie de Nancy and GeoRessources, a research unit of the Université de Lorraine, and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique.
Combining geosciences, applied mathematics, and computer programming, we do methodological research to describe the geometry and heterogeneities of the subsurface consistently with observations (big, sparse and wide data) and geological concepts.
This research is done in partnership with academia and industry in the frame of the RING Consortium, since 1989.
Vision
21st century earth modeling is a tool to explore subsurface uncertainties, test geological scenarios, integrate across several physical simulators at the appropriate scale and finally support decisions.
Mission
RING develops game-changing subsurface modeling technology to support industry and academia in better understanding subsurface processes and addressing natural resource management challenges.
As an academic research group, RING also develops multidisciplinary skills in geoscience, software and engineering at the undergraduate and graduate levels to help students to understand, use, improve and test earth modeling software.
Values
The main values which guide how we fulfill our mission are:
- Community: We value community both in the research group and in the community formed by our academic and industry partners to exchange and collaborate.
- Expertise: We aim at the best science and technology.
- Multidisciplinary: We are curious and firmly believe that the combination of knowledge from various areas creates value.
- Critical Thinking and Creativity: We like to identify and bridge gaps with out-of-the-box thinking.
- Integrity: We admit that a solution is seldom perfect and explicitly state our working hypotheses.
Strong legacy in geomodeling
RING finds its origin in the long tradition of combined engineering and Geosciences of the Nancy School of Geology, which has considered computer programming as part of the modern geologist's toolbox since the time of punch cards. Following the development of several automatic contouring methods in the 70's and 80's (GEOL, Cartolab), the research group increased its international recognition since the gOcad project was initiated in 1989 by Prof. Jean-Laurent Mallet.
The main technology breakthrough of the gOcad project was the combination of triangulated surfaces and Discrete Smooth Interpolation to represent complex geological structures such as salt diapirs. To address some limitations of the classical institutional funding structures, Jean-Laurent Mallet created the Gocad Research Consortium to provide financial and technical support to the project. This consortium developed our culture of industry collaboration through direct interaction with sponsors. After a few years, the fruitfult collaboration between Consortium Members and the Gocad Research Group gave birth to the Gocad software. To ensure maintenance, support and consulting services, the Gocad software became the leading commercial product of the EarthDecision company, created in 1998, then acquired by Paradigm (now Emerson) in 2006. RING and the School of Geology at University of Lorraine benefit from a generous donation of Paradigm software. Other RING industry transfers...
Since 2007, the research consortium and the research group have been directed by Prof. Guillaume Caumon. The structure has been continuing exploring and pushing the limits of geomodeling through original R&D addressing automation, scale, and uncertainty reduction.