Oil companies demand fuel management

The company reported that it is equipping a growing number of offshore vessels with its enginei fuel management system as the oil majors increasingly require the availability of accurate on-board fuel monitoring data as part of the support contracts awarded to shipping companies.

The system is now installed on nine vessels working for Chevron, two for BP, one for Addax Petroleum, four for Total, two for Conoco Phillips and one for Exxon. In Nigeria alone Royston has fitted over 30 vessels with the enginei system for the monitoring of bunkering and fuel consumption data over the last two years.

Other vessels operating in Asia, Egypt, Mexico and Brazil have also been fitted with the system, while in the North Sea the company recently installed a fuel monitoring system in a vessel operated by Gulfmark for a Shell contract.

“Despite the low oil price, it appears that access to accurate and reliable fuel consumption data is taking on even greater importance for a wide range of fleet management issues,” the company said.

Damian McCann, product manager for enginei fuel management systems at Royston, explained: “Although the trend started with high fuel prices around two years ago, there is no doubt that it is here to stay and even in the current low oil price scenario we are still undertaking new installations. We are also aware of clients who are intending to highlight the inclusion of enginei in future contract tenders, such are the fuel management advantages it provides.”

As reported, the enginei system records the fuel consumption data which is presented on board via touchscreen monitors installed on the bridge and in engine control rooms. It is compatible with all marine engine types and can be interfaced with new-build engine installations or retrofitted to operating vessels.