Innovative thinkers
Lev Ring did not have every opportunity when it came to deciding on an occupation, as he was born into a Jewish family in the Soviet Union, during the height of the Communist Party’s rule. “There were limited professional opportunities available to Jewish citizens at that time,” Ring explained.
According to Ring, a technical career appealed to him more, because there were no ideological positions to take. He felt that science and technology kept things “black and white.” His superior math and science skills pushed him in the direction of a career in technology, as well.
Ring worked his way through school, and was able to earn an MS degree in aerospace engineering from the Institute of Physics & Technology in Moscow. He went on to earn a PhD in physics and mathematics from the Russian Academy of Sciences. “I was lucky to get an outstanding education,” said Ring. “It was a very intense few years.”
After earning his degree, Ring began his career as a research associate at the Institute for Problems in Mechanics, at the Russian Academy of Sciences. However, after enduring the economic collapse of the Soviet Union, he began searching for opportunities elsewhere. With a grant, Ring was able to relocate to the U.S. in 1993, where he continued working as a research associate with the Rock Mechanics Institute, at The University of Oklahoma.
Ring was later offered a position at Shell E&P Technology Co. He was asked to do some modeling of sand production for the company, and soon became senior research engineer. When Shell began deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, and was in need of new well construction technologies, Ring got to work.
He supervised the development of new expandable tubular technology, as well as new expandable liner hanger systems, a method for forming and repairing wellbore casings by radially expanding the tubular liner.
He became V.P. of technology for Enventure Global Technology Inc., a Shell and Halliburton JV. This is where Ring, as chief technology officer, designed and built multiple new products.
Ring had successfully directed the transition of the technology from a mere concept, to a $200-million product portfolio. “I like to see things through from start to finish,” Ring said. “I like to see it develop from a white sheet of paper to the installation of a developed product.”
Despite his achievements in developing expandable technology, Ring has moved on to other technology and business perspectives. With more than 150 U.S. and international patents, his novel approach to the advancement of technology keeps him searching for his next high-tech undertaking. “I can’t do the same thing for more than five years, or I’ll get bored,” Ring said. “I’m always looking for the next fantastic technical challenge.”
As director of technology development at Weatherford International Inc., he most recently has led the engineering and development of the company’s latest advances in managed pressure drilling (MPD) and drilling automation. The OneSync software platform enhances planning simulation and control during MPD, early kick detection, and other drilling and completions scenarios. Built on Weatherford’s highly-regarded Microflux control system, the real-time computer software has already been employed by major companies, including Maersk Training.
Ring continues to aid the company in further commercializing the technology that he manufactures. He said, “I need to ensure that we’re not beating dead horses, that we’re always pushing forward, and that we always have a Plan A, B and C.” 
