LAUSR

A methodology is proposed for production optimization of oilfields consisting of multiple offshore reservoirs. In such complex systems, several production units are interconnected by a subsea pipeline network that transfers fluids to onshore terminals. A graph-based model of production units, pipelines, and nonlinear phenomena leads to a mixed-integer nonlinear problem for production optimization. Owing to its sheer size, the proposed approach relies on piecewise-linear proxy modeling of the production units and fluid flow. The end result is a mixed-integer linear problem to which robust algorithms can be applied. By means of simulation, the methodology is tested for an offshore oilfield in the Santos Basin, encompassing multiple reservoirs and production platforms.