A multi-objective optimization approach for the selection of overseas oil projects

Abstract Most good quality overseas oil projects, high in investment returns and abundant in resources, are located in politically unstable regions, where competing objectives present great challenges for investors to make informed decisions. Moreover, most of the existing models are single objective and do not adequately incorporate the unique characteristics of overseas oil investment. To bridge these gaps, this study develops a Non-linear Multi-objective Binary Program (NMBP) to optimize the investment portfolios under three competing objectives. A solution algorithm is developed to solve this multiple objective program by integrating Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) with Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). NSGA-II searches for the pareto set of optimal investment portfolios and TOPSIS determines the best compromise solution based on the investors’ preferences. Finally, China’s oil investment in the Belt and Road Initiative countries is taken as a case study to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach.