A Simulation Model for the Storage Handling and Loading of Eastern Venezuelan Crudes (MOSAYCO)
Authors: Moreno J.J. , Marin S. , Morales J. , Diaz R. , Domingo C. 
Published: December 2007

The expansion plans of the Venezuelan national oil industry envision an appreciable increase in the volumes of oil to be produced from Eastern Venezuela. As a consequence, the affiliate company Corpoven S.A. has deemed it advisable to develop a simulation model (MOSAYCO) of the production, transportation, storage and loading system of that region, which would assist in analyzing different options that arise when implementing said expansion plans. This paper describes the system handled by Corpoven S.A., the simulation model developed in SLAM II language and also, some of the results obtained by the use of the model. It is concluded that there is need to modify and amplify the operational infrastructure so that the system be better adapted during the execution of the expansion plans.

Introduction

The National oil, petrochemical and Coal industry (IPPCN) envisions in its expansion plans an appreciable increase in the plans an appreciable increase in the production of crude from Eastern Venezuela. production of crude from Eastern Venezuela. This applies both to traditional areas and to new development areas such as those in the northern parts of the states of Anzoategui and Monagas.

In addition, IPPCN has, as a medium range goal, the consolidation of the development of the prolific accumulations in the Orinoco Bitumen Belt. Extraction from that area may be achieved by producing crude followed by refining in Venezuela or elsewhere and additionally, by converting the abundant bitumens available there into the new fuel which goes under the trade mark name of Orimulsion.

The oil system of Eastern Venezuela is a complex world of installations and operations which requires an integral analysis of all its components to detect its strengths and weaknesses. For this reason, Corpoven S. A. deemed it advisable to develop an apt simulation model (MOSAYCO) of the production, transportation, storage and loading system of that region. Clearly, such a model is in essence a planning tool that may be used to perform studies involving changes in the perform studies involving changes in the system without affecting at all the existing infrastructure.

Currently, the MOSAYCO model is a reality and it is being used in conceptual engineering studies to assist the company in the processes of decision making. These studies processes of decision making. These studies are of course tied in to the problem of defining the modifications to be made to the existing infrastructure of the production system so that it handle, under strict criteria of operational feasibility and economic efficiency, the increased volumes of crude which will be produced from Eastern Venezuela in the medium term.

OBJECTIVES

The general objective of this project is to formulate a simulation model of the crude production system which is operated by production system which is operated by Corpoven S. A. in Eastern Venezuela. The model is to be used as tool to assist in the planning studies of infrastructure which the planning studies of infrastructure which the company carries out.

The model should take into account major production installations and processing of production installations and processing of crudes, operational procedures for handling said production and finally, programming of the fleet of tankers which dock at the oil port of Guaraguao to be loaded with crude and port of Guaraguao to be loaded with crude and refined products.

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