Situation

One of Australia’s key domestic energy suppliers, operates two Ariel compressors at their facility in South Australia which are critical for natural gas compression and transmission to the Moomba gas processing facility.

During colder months, the compressors frequently tripped and shut down due to low cylinder lubrication flow when using an alternate brand compounded cylinder oil. The tripping occurred when ambient temperatures dropped below 5°C, leading to significant production losses.

Recommendations 

The Ampol Technical Solutions Team (TaPS) recommended switching to Mobil 600W™ Super Cylinder Oil, which has a lower pour point (-6°C compared to +6°C for the alternate oil).

This lubricant would allow reliable compressor operation even in colder conditions, preventing frequent shutdowns caused by lubrication issues. 

Value Delivered

After switching to Mobil 600W™ Super Cylinder Oil in May 2022, the customer experienced no compressor trips due to low cylinder lubrication flow during the winter months.

This eliminated production losses and deferred revenue caused by shutdowns. Over a 14-week period, it was estimated that the change prevented 56 shutdowns, delivering a value of $1,120,000 in operational cost savings and improved revenue.

Conclusions

Switching to Mobil 600W™ Super Cylinder Oil significantly improved the reliability of their Ariel compressors, particularly in cold weather. The new lubricant resolved the tripping issue, enabling continuous operation, enhancing production uptime, and reducing concerns about additional wear on compressor components.