Overview
A major operator runs a MAN screw compressor on a West Shetland fixed-leg offshore platform in the North Sea, lubricated with Castrol Aircol SR32.
The unit began experiencing high bearing temperatures that escalated to compressor tripping events. These are automatic shutdowns triggered by the safety system when temperature thresholds are exceeded.
The Challenge
The root cause was varnish deposition on the bearing surfaces, reducing heat transfer efficiency and causing temperatures to rise beyond acceptable limits. Each trip event results in expensive production downtime on an offshore platform, where maintenance interventions carry significant logistical cost and complexity.
In an offshore environment, repeated compressor trips not only affect production output but also place mechanical stress on equipment and create operational risk. The standard response of draining and replacing the oil would have required significant downtime and disposal of a large lubricant volume.
Our Solution
A&S International suggested that Fluitec’s DECON™ be applied to the compressor lube oil system using 12 pails of product. DECON uses patented SOLVANCER® chemistry to dissolve varnish deposits from bearing surfaces and internal components in-service, without requiring an oil drain or system flush.
The treatment was designed to remove the varnish layer that was thermally isolating the bearings and causing the temperature spikes. The result was monitored in real-time via bearing temperature instrumentation on the platform, and oil analysis was conducted to track the condition of the lubricant throughout and after the treatment.
Results
- $2,078,500 savings realized by the operator
- 320x return on investment
The compressor returned to stable, continuous operation without an oil change or system flush. Bearing temperatures reduced and compressor tripping stopped within hours of DECON™ application Compressor returned to stable, continuous operation without an oil change or system flush 12 pails of DECON applied in-service with no production interruption during treatment.