The selection of the best utility line routes in the program complex with due regard to the local conditions

Abstract

At the present time, the companies of the oil and gas sector for the purpose of the sustainable development and growth have to expand the portfolio of their assets. The correct cost evaluation of an asset at the initial stage makes a big impact both on the further development of the project and on the long-term development strategy of the company as well as on its economy efficiency. Purpose. The purpose of this work was to solve the issue of forming up the utility line areas with due regard to the local conditions and cost evaluation. Materials and methods. For problem solution, the use of an algorithm was considered based on the search of the best possible coincidence on the graph that finds the lowest cost route from one vertex (initial) to the other (target). This paper presents the use of A-star algorithm for the selection of the right-of-way. In the course of problem solution on the basis of the preliminary pipeline route, the main laying method and obstructions that may be encountered are defined. Then cost increase coefficient is established for pipeline construction in zones that differ from the basic one. Pipeline cost coefficients are selected in accordance with the cost of each method of pipeline construction. Results. The algorithm implementation in the program complex with due regard to the pipeline laying cost in different local conditions allowed to enhance the project evaluation at the initial stage. Conclusion. Thus, using this algorithm to form up the areas of not only minimum length but with due regard to the local conditions, it is possible to enhance the accuracy of the project evaluation and to select the best option of the construction with minimum costs at the initial stage of the project implementation.