Emissions reduction gets most of the focus when oil and gas companies talk about environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals, but resource conservation is an area that’s starting to get more attention in discussions about sustainability. At Caterpillar, we’re always seeking ways to help you use fewer parts, fluids, filters and other consumables by extending the life of our components and the time required between maintenance and overhauls. There are some simple things you can do to cut down on waste as well — and here’s a bonus: They all reduce your operating costs and downtime, too.

1. Repair before failure

Did you know that waiting to repair until your engine, transmission or pump fails can cost you 2.5 times more than taking action before failure? Downtime is typically greater, too, because after-failure repairs are more complex. That’s because a catastrophic failure causes contingent damage, requiring you to scrap many parts that otherwise would have been reusable or rebuildable. Using condition monitoring and predictive indicators generated through equipment data helps you forecast when components will fail, so you can plan for service BEFORE that happens — and spend less time, money and parts on repairs.

2. Extend intervals when data supports it

Here’s something else condition monitoring can do for you — indicate if you’re replacing oil and filters too soon or taking equipment off the job for overhauls too early. All manufacturers publish recommended maintenance and overhaul intervals for equipment, but no two operations run that equipment in the exact same way. Based on your site conditions, fuel quality and other factors, the data may show you can push out intervals — and again, that means less wasted time, money and materials.

3. Choose Cat® Reman products when available

When it is time to replace a component, selecting a Cat Reman option gives you like-new quality and durability, along with a same-as-new warranty, but at a fraction of the price — generally 50-65% of the cost of a new part. And because it requires much less raw material and energy to remanufacture a product than to manufacture a new one, it’s a more sustainable choice. On average, a Cat Reman product reduces water use by 86%, new material use by 85% and greenhouse gas emissions by 61%. There are about 8,000 different types of Cat Reman products available across industries, and we’re actively working to add more to the oil and gas line-up.

Not sure where to start? Try a CVA.

A Customer Value Agreement, or CVA, is an easy way to put these waste-reduction strategies into action. CVAs let you choose a combination of hassle-free maintenance, equipment health data, expert dealer support and other services to maximize your investment and lower your costs. Your Cat dealer can help you put together a CVA that helps you meet your economic and environmental goals.

Want to help us extend intervals? Talk to your dealer.

If you think there’s more life left in a component than our published intervals indicate, we want to hear it. We currently have field-follow programs in place with a number of different operations to gather real-world data that may lead us to extend recommended maintenance or overhaul intervals on everything from oil changes and valve lash adjustments to cylinder heads, high-pressure fuel pumps and complete engines. Get in touch with your local dealer if you’re interested in participating.