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Abstract
This study examines the loss in project value incurred when
concept selection decisions are based on erred estimates of
input variables. Estimates of the magnitude of such losses are
provided, along with an analysis of which input estimates
matter most in determining value loss. A procedure for
concept selection is defined to model the decision making
process and is used in conjunction with a simplified asset
development optimization model to estimate project values.
The analysis compares project values resulting from concept
selection decisions based on erred estimates and decisions
based on an alternate hypothesis. Results suggest that cost of
erred estimates for initial costs, expansion costs, and the
timing of future expansion projects are comparable in
magnitude to the cost of erred reserve estimates. Also, the cost
of underestimating expected reserve volume tends to be larger
than the cost of overestimating reserve volume; aggressive
cost estimates are more destructive to value than conservative
estimates; and conservative schedule estimates for the timing
of expansion projects are generally more destructive to value
than aggressive schedule estimates.
Introduction
During the concept comparison and selection phase of
exploration and production (E&P) capital projects, decision
makers estimate the value of competing development
concepts. These estimates are used to rank options and to
select one option to carry forward to the next project phase.
The importance of these estimates cannot be overstated, they
determine which concept is selected, and have a strong
influence on field architecture, initial capacity of facilities,
well counts, production rates, and project schedule. Decisions
in concept selection have a large impact on the value
ultimately derived from the asset.1,2 These estimates are also
used for other important analyses and decisions during
concept selection such as value of information (VOI) analysis.
SPE 110191
1
z = ( p (t ) * q (t ) opex(t ) capex(t ) ) *
+
(1
r )t
t
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
cwell (t ) = wellcost (i ) * D (t , i )
(5)
cap0 (t )
cplat (t ) = b0 + b1
365
eplat
(6)
SPE 110191
eplat
capadd (t )
cexpa (t ) = m b0 + b1
365
(7)
q(t ) rescap
(8)
(9)
wellcount
q(t )
(10)
wellvol
q (t ) cap (t )
t
(11, 12)
P10 = 635.88
P50 = 797.60
P90 = 945.01
Expected Value = 794.55
P90
0.6
0.5
Expected Value
P50
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
300
P10
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
1100
1200
NPV, $MM
SPE 110191
NPV, $MM
750
700
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
16000
10
20
30
-4.27
0.00
-1.03
-4.27
0.00
-1.03
-6.68
0.00
-1.03
40
80
-4.46
-0.13
-0.85
12
-4.46
0.00
-0.85
20
-1.92
-0.20
0.00
120
80
160
-3.24
-0.32
-3.64
24
-5.31
0.00
-3.64
40
-5.31
-0.25
-2.79
240
SPE 110191
-10
20
-1.37
-0.19
-0.20
5.0
-2.86
0.00
-1.36
10.0
-0.36
-0.58
-1.40
30
0.00075
0.001
0.002
-0.36
-1.80
-0.24
0.000200
-0.76
0.00
-0.40
0.000250
-1.23
-2.36
-0.52
2.0
2.5
-11.48
-2.21
-0.76
0.10
-4.04
0.00
-0.39
0.20
-6.59
-0.35
-1.11
2.7
0.00
-4.17
-4.29
-4.53
SPE 110191
Expansion Year
Cost of
Erred
Estimate
-1.31
0.00
-1.08
-1.30
-2.36
-2.00
0.00
-2.48
-2.30
-2.71
-2.48
0.00
Conclusions
The objective of this study is to examine and compare the loss
in value incurred when concept selection decisions are based
on erred estimates of input variables. Using a generic
procedure for concept selection decisions in conjunction with
a simplified asset development optimization model reveals
several strategic insights. Errors in estimates cause suboptimal initial facility capacity decisions, resulting in overinvestment, or under-investment coupled with costly future
expansion. Specifically, the results of this study suggest the
following:
Acknowledgements
This study was partially supported by the Cockrell School of
Engineering and the Jackson School of Geosciences at the
University of Texas at Austin. The authors thank Tim Taylor
and Bill Lamport for comments and suggestions. All errors
and omissions remain the responsibility of the authors.
Nomenclature
(mm) (m) bopy = (million) (thousand) barrels of oil per year
$mm = million dollars
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