Chevron Oronite launches marine cylinder lubricant additive package to transition to IMO 2020 sulfur limit

Chevron Oronite Company, LLC, has introduced OLOA^® 49835, a newly formulated 40 BN marine cylinder lubricant additive package as the latest addition to its Marine and Power generation system (MAPS™) product portfolio. Specifically designed for marine vessels operating with ≤ 0.5% sulfur fuels in non-ECA zones, OLOA^® 49835 was developed to help lubricant marketers and ship operators transition to the new sulfur limit in marine fuels regulation set by the International Maritime Organization, also known as IMO 2020.

“It was important for us to make sure this new 40 BN product would meet the new requirements and exceed the expectations of our customers,” said Maarten Boons, marine technology manager, Chevron Oronite. “That’s why we focused our development efforts on three main areas: optimized componentry, consideration of future base oil compositions, and extensive testing with 0.5% sulfur fuel. The 0.5% sulfur fuel used in our field tests was especially blended to meet the expected fuel requirements starting 2020.”

As a result, OLOA^® 49835 provides balanced acid neutralization and cleanliness performance, API Group I & Group II base oil coverage, and is suitable for intermittent use with ≤0.1% sulfur distillate fuel.

“Oronite’s marine team is highly experienced and embedded in our operations around the world. We assess information about the industry and the important issues it is facing and use that to develop the right products for our customers to meet the latest challenges in a very competitive industry,” said Ilse Oelius Smaal, global marine product line manager, Chevron Oronite. “We are confident that we have the right additive package to blend a 40BN marine cylinder lubricant for engines running on IMO 2020 compliant fuel because we made sure to test it extensively, not just with one fuel, but with various different fuels.”

Regulation 14.1.3 of Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention was adopted by the IMO in 2016, in response to environmental concerns. For engines running on ≤ 0.5% sulfur fuels, a lubricant with the appropriate BN level can help minimize ash particles in the exhaust, potential for hard deposits on piston tops, and risk of cylinder liner scuffing. The regulation requires that the sulfur content of any fuel oil on a ship does not exceed 0.50% m/m by 1 January 2020, unless the engine is equipped with exhaust gas aftertreatment.

Developed from the latest marine additive technology, Chevron Oronite’s MAPS™ portfolio consists of packages that can be used to blend a complete slate of oils for Marine and PowerGen applications.