Combining Simulation and Tabu Search for Oil-derivatives Pipeline Scheduling

In this chapter a methodology for addressing a real-world multicommodity pipeline scheduling problem is presented. For this problem, a Tabu Search and a Simulation model have been devised. The simulation model allows an accurate and suitable assessment of every particular schedule, whereas the Tabu Search guides the searching process and eventually succeeds in obtaining satisfactory schedules in terms of a set of relevant criteria. This methodology has been applied to a particular subsystem of the pipeline Spanish network. As a result, the proposed Tabu Search has proved to be an effective and efficient technique for solving the problem.