Abstract: Currently, the field operation of valves in depot pipelines is mostly the trial regulation based on the engineeringexperience and SCADA data, so it is blind to some extent with long regulation time and great risk. In order to work outa controlling scheme for the valves in complex hydraulic system of oil depot pipelines under the constraint of pressure, amathematical model for calculating the valve regulating process was established based on the general physical model ofpipeline system in oil depots, combined with the hydraulic transient theories. Then, the corresponding definite conditionswere determined according to actual working conditions. Finally, for the complex oil discharge pipe system of oil depot withvariable diameterpoint, pump and valve, the valve controlling scheme with the minimum regulation time as the objectivefunction under the constraint of pressure was formulated based on the theory of inverse problem, combined with the finitedifference method and the spatial characteristic line method. The research results provide a reference for the optimal controlof valves in complex hydraulic systems.