O.R. and U.K. natural gas depletion strategy

This paper describes two models using operational research techniques to explore alternative strategies for the depletion of U.K. natural gas reserves. The first is a linear programming formulation of the problem of matching annual supply and demand for gas over the indefinite future. The second evaluates the financial implications of the matches produced by the first. The key variables which affect results from the model are discussed as are some of the ways in which results are used. These results have an influence on decisions ranging from detailed peak shaving policy to considerations of national fuel policy and the balance of energy supplies in the U.K. in the longer term.