Heavy fuel oil analysis at Iraq's Bayji refinery

M L Zarracina
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M L Zarracina: Cornell University, Minneapolis, MN, USA

Journal of the Operational Research Society, 2013, vol. 64, issue 4, 488-499

Abstract: This case study develops a dynamic model to analyse Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) production and distribution at Iraq's largest oil refinery. It studies the impact of instituting a more flexible export pricing model for HFO removal, which constrains production due to physical storage limitations on refined fuel production and revenue generation. The production model utilizes system dynamics concepts and incorporates six independent, uncorrelated inputs (market prices, power outages, HFO produced, HFO removed via the power plant, local and export trucking) to effectively simulate historical trends. An export pricing model was then added to optimize the production model. Various sensitivities regarding the Iraq HFO export market to price fluctuations, time lag for prices changes to take effect, and production increases resultant of HFO storage becoming a less significant constraint were explored. The analysis reveals significant increased revenue potential, ranging from $50 million USD to $1 billion USD annually, by implementing a pricing system that adjusts HFO export prices based on HFO storage levels with minimal downside risk.

Date: 2013
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