Input Evaluation and Benchmarking of Exploration & Production Economics

Research output: ThesisMaster's Thesis

Abstract

Exploration and production projects are generally very complex in terms of the reservoir, the development concept but also regarding the global environment and therefore the local fiscal regime; based on this complexity it is difficult to adequately benchmark their performance. The objective of this work was to create a quick-look input assessment tool in order to ensure data quality. To attain this, it was necessary to benchmark normalized output parameters of one certain project against others, which are assigned to the same project segment; therefore the comparability of projects needed to be assured by defining project segments in a way, which allowed for well-defined output parameter ranges. Primarily, the aim was to perform a plausibility check of input parameters and allocate projects into a standardized perspective – including project specific attributes and technical key performance indicators. To achieve this, it will be required to complete a standardized input mask. Depending on the project maturation level, this information will be used either for benchmarking purposes only or – in case of projects with a certain maturity – the information should be stored and later used as reference data set. First of all the projects were well defined in terms of their specific attributes and technical key performance indicators; all parameters were aligned with the individually responsible departments within OMV. Then, normalized output parameters were specified in order to provide a basis for the benchmarking process. Thereafter it was essential to set up a practicable project segmentation in order to create well defined ranges for output parameters within the different project segments. To do so, data from Wood Mackenzie reports have been gathered to build a preliminary database; the database was reviewed for correlations and used to establish an efficient project segmentation. Based on this information, the project segmentation has been structured using the following parameters: (1) On-/Offshore, (2) Oil / Gas, (3) General Development Concept; combining these parameters lead to 12 different project segments including their individual output parameter ranges. Thusly, the system was implemented into the existing software environment, which consists of Excel, Palantir CASH and TM1 . Then the system was tested leading to a result, which reflected the expectations for this project. This indicates that it is possible to segment projects and compare them with each other within their individual segment. Still there is the need to adjust project segment ranges over time and to implement new segmentation criteria once enough projects have been gathered in the database. Finally, to increase the quality of the project assessment further, also a statistical evaluation of how the input affects the output should be performed during a later stage.

Details

Translated title of the contributionSystematisches Eingangs-Benchmarking für Exploration & Production Economics zur Evaluierung von Inputdaten
Original languageEnglish
QualificationDipl.-Ing.
Supervisors/Advisors
Award date24 Oct 2014
Publication statusPublished - 2014