BRGM

What BRGM does

BRGM (Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières) is France's national geological survey, established in 1959 and operating as a public industrial and commercial institution (EPIC) under direct French state supervision. The organization conducts applied geoscience research and provides scientific expertise, operational services, and public data infrastructure across six thematic areas: geology and subsurface modeling, groundwater resource preservation, geological risk assessment, mineral resources and responsible supply, subsurface energy and decarbonization, and digital technology for geosciences. BRGM's core product portfolio centers on a network of interoperable digital portals and platforms, including InfoTerre (geoscientific data access portal), MétéEAU Nappes (real-time groundwater monitoring and forecasting), Géorisques (national multi-risk information portal), ADES (groundwater data portal), Minéralinfo (mineral resources portal), and Géothermies (geothermal energy portal). The organization also operates proprietary physical research infrastructure, including PRIME (experimental pilot platforms for soil and groundwater remediation at the Orléans site) and PIVOTS (seven scientific innovation platforms for environmental challenges in the Centre-Val de Loire region).

BRGM's revenue model is a hybrid of public service mission funding and contract-based commercial services. Primary revenue comes from French state subsidies for statutory public service missions (national geological survey, scientific research, mine safety, expertise for public authorities), supplemented by contracted research and consulting services delivered to government ministries, regional authorities, and private companies, plus revenue from publications (BRGM Éditions, geological maps) and professional training (BRGM Formation). The go-to-market is sales-led via direct institutional engagement, with multi-year framework agreements and public procurement being the primary contracting vehicles. Customer segments span national government ministries, local and regional authorities, private enterprises (mining, environmental consulting, construction, utilities such as SUEZ), and research institutions (CNRS, INRAE, INERIS, IRSN, Ifremer, IPGP, Météo-France). Notably, BRGM co-pilots two flagship France 2030 national research programs — PEPR OneWater (€53 million over 10 years) and PEPR Risques/IRiMa (€51.9 million over 8 years) — aggregating over 30 institutional partners and consolidating BRGM's position as the central orchestrator of French national geoscience research.

Name

BRGM

Legal name

BRGM (Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières)

Website

https://brgm.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

BRGM, established in 1959, is France's national geological survey (EPIC) providing geoscience research, groundwater monitoring, geological risk assessment, and mineral resource expertise to government ministries, regional authorities, private companies, and research institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Geological Survey and Geoscience Services

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Oil & Gas Field Exploration Services (1382), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Geotechnical & Subsurface Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling) (IMAKAKAA), Geotechnical Design, Engineering & Consulting (Analysis, Design, Peer Review) (IMAFAOAK), Geotechnical Site Investigation & Engineering Geology (Borings, Lab Testing) (EUAHAFAE), Location Intelligence, Analytics & Geospatial BI (BPAMANAE)

Keywords

• Geological survey services
• Groundwater monitoring
• Subsurface research
• Mineral resource assessment
• Geological risk management

Headquarters

HQ city

Orléans

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Public Service Missions: Core government funding for BRGM's public service missions as the French national geological survey, including scientific research, expertise for public authorities, mine safety prevention, higher education, and professional training.
2. Research Contracts and Consulting Services: Contracted research, technical expertise, and consulting services provided to government ministries, local authorities, and private companies on geological, environmental, and resource management projects.
3. Publications and Training: Sale of geological maps, scientific books, and professional training services through BRGM Éditions and BRGM Formation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BRGM is France's national geological survey providing scientific research, technical expertise, and monitoring services across subsurface characterization, groundwater resources, geological risks (earthquakes, landslides, coastal erosion), mineral resources, and subsurface energy. It operates scientific platforms and data portals (MétéEAU Nappes, InfoTerre, Géorisques, PRIME, PIVOTS) and delivers publications, maps, and professional training to public authorities, private companies, and research institutions.

Product overview

BRGM (Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières) operates as France's national geological survey, offering a comprehensive portfolio of scientific platforms, data portals, and professional services centered on geosciences. The organization's core offerings include InfoTerre (geoscientific data portal), MétéEAU Nappes (real-time groundwater monitoring and forecasting), and PRIME (experimental laboratory for soil and groundwater decontamination). Supporting infrastructure includes PIVOTS (seven scientific innovation platforms), BRGM Éditions (publications including the Géosciences journal), and specialized portals such as Géorisques (risk information), ADES (groundwater data), SIGES (groundwater management), Minéralinfo (mineral resources), and Géothermies (geothermal energy). BRGM also provides professional training through BRGM Formation and maintains scientific publications via HAL-BRGM. The organization partners with France Télévisions on 'Météo de l'eau', a media programme dedicated to groundwater status reporting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OneWater - Eau Bien Commun: National research and innovation program on water, co-piloted by BRGM with CNRS and INRAE, funded by France 2030.
• PEPR Risques (IRiMa)
• MétéEAU Nappes
• InfoTerre
• Géorisques
• ADES

Products and services

• InfoTerre Portal for accessing BRGM's geoscientific data, providing scientific data and geological information to researchers, public authorities, and the general public.
• MétéEAU Nappes Real-time monitoring and forecasting tool for groundwater levels, providing water resource management support for public authorities and organizations involved in water resource management.
• PRIME (Pilotes pour la Remédiation et l'Ingénierie Minière et Environnementale) Experimental pilot platforms installed at BRGM's Orléans site for the decontamination of soils and groundwater polluted by heavy metals, hydrocarbons, or organochlorine compounds.
• PIVOTS (Plateformes d'Innovation pour répondre aux Enjeux Environnementaux) A unique ensemble of seven scientific platforms created in 2016 in the Centre-Val de Loire region, providing innovation infrastructure for environmental challenges.
• BRGM Éditions Publishing division producing geological books and maps, including the Géosciences journal and geological cartography products.
• Géorisques Portal for better understanding risks in France, providing multi-risk information and services adapted to various audiences.
• ADES (Accès aux Données sur les Eaux Souterraines) Portal for access to groundwater data in France, managed as part of the national groundwater information system.
• SIGES (Système d'Information pour la Gestion des Eaux Souterraines) Groundwater management information system providing regional groundwater data and resources.
• Minéralinfo French portal for non-energy mineral resources, providing information on mineral raw materials.
• Géothermies Portal providing comprehensive information on geothermal energy resources and technologies.
• BRGM Formation Professional training services offered by BRGM in geosciences, with over 20 years of expertise in geological and environmental training.
• HAL-BRGM Open archive for BRGM's scientific publications, providing access to research outputs in geosciences.
• Météo de l'eau Television programme launched in partnership with France Télévisions, providing regular updates on the state of France's groundwater resources.
• OneWater - Eau Bien Commun (PEPR program) National research and innovation program on water as a common good, co-piloted by BRGM with CNRS and INRAE, funded by France 2030.
• PEPR Risques (IRiMa) National program to structure and strengthen risk science in France, co-piloted by BRGM, CNRS, and Université Grenoble-Alpes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Groundwater monitoring network covering all of mainland France with regular status reports
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and major.

• CeremacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026Framework agreement signed June 2026 to strengthen and perpetuate partnership between BRGM and Cerema for climate change adaptation and risk management.
• Ukrainian Geological ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Cooperation agreement signed February 2026 between BRGM PDG Catherine Lagneau and Ukrainian Geological Service for mineral resource collaboration.
• Lithium de FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2024Partnership signed July 2024 for geothermal energy development and strategic mineral resource assessment in France.
• ADEMEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 January 2024Renewed cooperation agreement signed January 2024 between BRGM and ADEME for collaboration on subsurface challenges, environmental research, and sustainable resource management.
• SUEZcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 February 2023Renewal of scientific and industrial R&D partnership agreement originally signed in 2019, focusing on water resource management and environmental solutions innovation.
• CNRSflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2022Co-pilot of PEPR OneWater - Eau Bien Commun national research program on water resources, with 53 million euros budget over 10 years under France 2030 plan. Also co-pilot of PEPR Risques (IRiMa) program.
• INRAEflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2022Co-pilot of PEPR OneWater - Eau Bien Commun national research program on water as a common good, focusing on integrated water resource management and climate adaptation.
• Université Grenoble-AlpesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-pilot of PEPR Risques (IRiMa) national risk science program with 51.9 million euros budget over 8 years, bringing together over 30 institutional partners.
• EuroGeoSurveyscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean network of national geological surveys, providing international collaboration platform for geoscience knowledge exchange and joint research initiatives.
• IfremermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in PEPR OneWater program contributing marine and coastal expertise to national water research initiative.
• IRDmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in PEPR OneWater program bringing international development research perspective to water resource studies.
• Météo-FrancemajorTechnology or IntegrationPartner in PEPR OneWater program providing meteorological expertise and climate data integration for water resource forecasting.
• IPGP / Université Paris CitémajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational cluster 'risques outre-mer' partner for understanding and managing risks specific to overseas regions within PEPR Risques program.
• INERISmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational NaTech cluster partner in PEPR Risques program for managing natural-technological risks in densely urbanized areas.
• IRSNmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational NaTech cluster partner in PEPR Risques program addressing nuclear and radiation safety risk research.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• INERIS: France's public expert institute for industrial and environmental risks, partnered with BRGM on the NaTech cluster within the PEPR Risques (IRiMa) program. Comparable public-sector scientific remit in risk assessment, with complementary rather than identical expertise areas.
• Geological Survey of Canada (NRCan/GSC): Canada's national geological survey within Natural Resources Canada, providing comparable geological mapping, groundwater, geohazard, and mineral resource programs to BRGM, with significant regional/geographic scope similar to BRGM's metropolitan and overseas France mandate.
• Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (BGR): Germany's federal geological survey, the closest continental European peer to BRGM in mandate and structure. Provides geoscientific expertise, groundwater and soil monitoring, mineral resource assessment, and international cooperation — overlapping with BRGM's six thematic areas.
• Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU): Swedish national authority for geological surveying, mineral resource management, groundwater monitoring, and environmental geoscience data. A smaller-scale European peer with directly overlapping service categories and an emphasis on open data portals.
• Geoscience Australia: Australia's national geoscience agency, delivering public-sector geoscience, mineral resource mapping, groundwater data, and geohazard information. Comparable portfolio breadth to BRGM, though with a stronger mineral-exploration orientation tied to Australia's resources economy.
• British Geological Survey (BGS): UK's national geological survey and a direct peer in scope: subsurface characterization, groundwater monitoring, geological hazards, mineral resources, and open geoscience data portals. Operates as a public-sector research organization with comparable mix of research, monitoring, and commercial services.

Broad incumbents

• Bureau Veritas: Global testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) incumbent that overlaps with BRGM's accredited laboratory and environmental site assessment activities (COFRAC, ISO 9001/14001). Not a direct competitor on statutory geological-survey mandate, but a competitor on private-sector testing and compliance work where BRGM bids commercially.
• United States Geological Survey (USGS): U.S. national geological survey providing comparable statutory mandate for geoscience research, groundwater monitoring, geological hazard assessment, and mineral resource evaluation. Both USGS and BRGM serve as their country's default public provider of subsurface science to government and the public, with similar portal/data-portfolio structures.

Regional players

• Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV): Italy's national institute for geophysics and volcanology, a regional European peer in public-sector Earth science. Less overlap on groundwater and mineral resources, more on geohazards and seismic risk — categories where BRGM also operates.

Others

• EuroGeoSurveys: European network of national geological surveys in which BRGM is a member. Included as an enabling/ecosystem peer rather than a competitor: it channels joint EU research funding and shared infrastructure, which extends BRGM's reach but is not itself a service provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@OneWater-EauBienCommun
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/onewater-eau-bien-commun
• Xx.com/BRGM_fr

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BRGM