or in shell

1Slide

Business Modelling Team, Consultancy UK

OR in Shell

Lauretta CiuffardiStrategy & Business Modelling

Consultancy UK

2Slide


An Overview of OR Activities in Shell

• MC-UK has one of the longest established OR teams with consultants working throughout the company.

• There are a number of small pockets of OR activity, typically focussed on a specific business. The MC-UK team works with all Shell businesses.

• OR is used throughout the Shell Group, having started off in refinery operations it is now used extensively elsewhere.

What we do…• We link customers with off-the-shelf or bespoke IT tools

through our consultancy and modelling skills.• We develop, run and maintain IT tools and models that are

used to aid and support (strategic) business decision making

3Slide


Strategy & Business Modelling Offering

Simulation Modelling (Software: Witness, Vensim,Crystal Ball)

• Both discrete and continuous (system dynamics) models

Optimisation (Software: Aimms, CPLEX, What’s Best)

• Use of linear programming, local search methods and bespoke algorithms

Bespoke Modelling (Software: VB, 3rd Party Suppliers)

• Development of bespoke solution tools that result in a model that is robust to continuing change with the attendant capacity to interpret subtle sensitivities.

Process Mapping and Problem Structuring

• Workshop facilitation that enables problem parameters to be identified and analysed using systems thinking techniques.

4Slide


Recent Business Modelling Projects

Modelling of LNG terminal operations (Shell operating company in India)– Problem: Assess the operational difficulties of an LNG terminal when dealing

with uncertain demand and suggest terminal management policies.– Technique used: Witness simulation

Logistics modelling for pipeline construction (Shell operated JV in Russia)– Problem: Support infrastructure upgrade decisions and gain a better

understanding of conveyance options.– Technique used: Witness simulation

LNG Optimiser (Gas & Power in London)– Problem: Develop a strategic optimisation tool to address global LNG

supply/demand balancing– Technique used: AIMMS & CPLEX

LNG storage capacity analysis (Gas & Power project team in Mexico)– Problem: Aid the configuration (e.g. capacity, throughput) of a new LNG

receiving terminal.– Technique used: Bespoke ADGENT simulation

5Slide


Example - Liquefied Natural Gas Logistics Planning Tool (Adgent)

• High value product (each shipment costs ~$15M), projects have large capital costs (~$2B)

• Complex interdependent system

• Generic model was developed to look at: Supply side Liquefied Natural Gas process from well-head, through liquefaction and loading on to Vessels and demand side transporting and delivery to receiving terminals

• Normal case study simulates1-3 producer terminals and 5-10 receiving terminals

• Up to 30 vessels with over 200 cargo deliveries per year.

6Slide


LNG Logistics Tool (Adgent)

7Slide


Example – Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal Models

• Realistically models the dynamic interactions (e.g. queuing) of elements in the system (such as vessels, LNG Tank, weather patterns etc) through Discrete Event Simulation

• Used to assess terminal operations

• Ability to track when and why specific events occur and trace their explicit impact on the system

8Slide


LNG Terminal Models

Tank Level, Individual Shippers Tank Content, Percentage Borrowed

Berthing of Cargoes at Terminal

Hourly Supply vs Demand

Current Cargo Details

9Slide


Where OR is in Shell today

• IT skills to be integrated with core businesses rather than as part of Shell IT Shared Service

• OR community needs to adjust as a result, however, modelling work will continue….

or in shell

Documents