Latest industry survey reinforces pivotal role of advanced engine oils

A recently-conducted survey clearly demonstrates the important role that industrial lubricants play in ensuring the optimized operational performance of gas-fired engines in power generation applications.

At the end of last year, ExxonMobil Fuels & Lubricants, in partnership with PennEnergy.com, surveyed energy professionals in both the electric power generation and oil & gas industry sectors.

The survey’s goals were four-fold:

• Determining the types of engine oil used in gas engines, specifically in power generation
• Determining the factors governing the selection and purchase of engine oil
• Determining potential customers’ expectations of high-performance engine oil
• Determining the impact of efficient gas engine operations and industrial lubricants on companies’ business and financials

One of the most striking survey findings was that more than three-quarters (85 per cent) of respondents thought that the role of an engine oil was significant (important, quite important or very important) with regard to optimizing the performance of a gas-fuelled engine.

The survey also explored in more detail why engine optimization, which translates into continuous operation, is important, and what is the inherent value of engine optimization.

Interestingly more than half (52 per cent) of respondents believe that the consistent and efficient operation of their gas engines has a direct effect on their company’s business.

The survey demonstrated that minimizing downtime is one of the most important benefits of engine optimization. Worryingly, more than 50 per cent of all respondents confirmed that in the last 12 months up to 25 per cent of their engines had been off line due to unscheduled downtime.

This finding is significant when you consider the close correlation between production and a company’s revenue.

Furthermore, close to three-quarters of the respondents from the power generation sector thought that the energy efficiency of an industrial lubricant has a significant impact on an organization’s all-important bottom line, especially when fuel costs directly affect profitability.

Thus, the over-arching conclusion from the survey is that high-performance lubrication is crucial for the consistent, efficient and trouble-free operation of gas engines in power generation applications.

To read the full survey results, click here.