In this work, we consider the problem of daily production optimization in the upstream oil and gas domain. The objective is to find the optimal decision variables that utilize the production systems efficiently and maximize the revenue. Typically, mathematical models are used to find the optimal operation in such processes. However, such prediction models are subject to uncertainty that has been often overlooked, and the optimal solution based on nominal models can thus render the solution useless and may lead to infeasibility when implemented. To ensure robust feasibility, worst case optimization may be employed; however, the solution may be rather conservative. Alternatively, we propose the use of scenario-based optimization to reduce the conservativeness. The results of the nominal, worst case and scenario-based optimization are compared and discussed.

In this paper we describe control challenges related to operation of oil wells equipped with Electric Submersible Pumps (ESP) and formalize them in a control problem setting in the language of control system engineers. Then we present a simple dynamic model of an oil well equipped with ESP. This model can be used for controller development. To solve this problem, we propose a Model Predictive Control (MPC) strategy and present experimental results of an MPC controller successfully tested in a large scale test facility with a full scale ESP, live crude oil in an emulated oil well.

This paper considers the problem of Bayesian optimization for systems with safety-critical constraints, where both the objective function and the constraints are unknown, but can be observed by querying the system. In safety-critical applications, querying the system at an infeasible point can have catastrophic consequences. Such systems require a safe learning framework, such that the performance objective can be optimized while satisfying the safety-critical constraints with high probability. In this paper we propose a safe Bayesian optimization framework that ensures that the points queried are always in the interior of the partially revealed safe region, thereby guaranteeing constraint satisfaction with high probability. The proposed interior-point Bayesian optimization framework can be used with any acquisition function, making it broadly applicable. The performance of the proposed method is demonstrated using a personalized insulin dosing application for patients with type 1 diabetes.