A method of modeling an oilfield network can include identifying a well and a tying point, identifying locations of the well and tying point, identifying elevations of the well and tying point, creating a model pipeline along a path between the well and the tying point, such as a straight line path between the well and the tying point, defining a length of the path, calculating an elevation difference between the well and the tying point, determining whether an obstacle exists in the path, and defining a length of the pipeline. A method can include creating a second path that circumvents the obstacle and adjusting a length of a pipeline accordingly. A method can include implementing one or more nudging algorithms and incrementally adjusting the length of a pipeline. A method can include defining one or more limits for adjusting a length of a pipeline model.