An Optimization Model for Natural Gas Supply Chain through a Cost Approach under Uncertainty

Natural gas, as one of the most important sources of
energy for many of the industrial and domestic users all over the
world, has a complex, huge supply chain which is in need of heavy
investments in all the phases of exploration, extraction, production,
transportation, storage and distribution. The main purpose of supply
chain is to meet customers’ need efficiently and with minimum cost.
In this study, with the aim of minimizing economic costs, different
levels of natural gas supply chain in the form of a multi-echelon,
multi-period fuzzy linear programming have been modeled. In this
model, different constraints including constraints on demand
satisfaction, capacity, input/output balance and presence/absence of a
path have been defined. The obtained results suggest efficiency of the
recommended model in optimal allocation and reduction of supply
chain costs.

• A. Azadeh
• Z. Raoofi

• Cost Approach
• Fuzzy Theory
• Linear Programming
• Natural Gas Supply Chain.

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