Shell launches new oil condition monitoring and equipment health service

Shell has teamed with Baker Hughes to launch a new intelligent, advanced analytics-based oil condition monitoring and machinery health service for the marine sector called VitalyX. It combines Shell Remote Sense lubricant analysis expertise with Baker Hughes subsidiary Bently Nevada’s 60-year experience in condition monitoring and protection to offer an early warning system that remotely monitors oil quality to increase machine uptime.

Shell says that, by deploying industrial internet of things (IIOT) and artificial intelligence (AI) technology in innovative ways, the service uses real-time sensor data and machine learning to provide customers with actionable insights to optimize equipment health, lower maintenance costs and increase operational efficiency of marine vessels.

Shell Marine’s general manager services and technical, Marcus Schaerer, said: “We are delighted to bring the advanced capabilities of Shell Remote Sense to our marine customers in partnership with Bently Nevada. Shell understands the importance of good lubricant management and its impact on equipment life. With Shell Remote Sense, ship owners and operators can continuously monitor oil conditions across multiple components on a vessel. Customers will have vital and predictive information at their fingertips to make proactive decisions on maintenance planning and extend equipment life.”

Ed J. Boufarah, vice president, Bently Nevada, a Baker Hughes business, said: “Digitalization is maturing rapidly in the marine sector, with the data drawn from real-time remote monitoring not only enhancing operations and improving safety, but also delivering significant efficiency gains. VitalyX provides operators with the predictive capability to optimize maintenance cost management, by switching from a time-based to a health-based approach.”