SPE Reservoir Engineering, Vol.10, No.1, 52-58, 1995
APPLICATION OF LINEAR-PROGRAMMING TO RESERVOIR DEVELOPMENT EVALUATIONS
A production forecasting model that uses linear programming concepts has been developed to generate composite forecasts from multiple streams produced through a common facility. The model treats petroleum processing as a linear optimization problem to maximize oil production under a set of independent constraints. The model represents production streams competing for limited facility capacity on a consistent basis. This approach allows resolution of production streams of varying character [GOR, gas/liquid ratio (GLR), or WOR] into a composite rate forecast while facility capacity is used optimally. In particular, the model may be used to forecast production of several unrelated fields producing through a common facility. The model was applied to forecast production for three Alaska North Slope reservoirs (Kuparuk, Lisburne, and Point McIntyre) for development and facility-expansion evaluations.