Haukereid Understands the Importance of Oil Analysis

Name: Keith Haukereid

Age: 47

Job Title: Oil Analyst

Company: Peabody Energy’s North Antelope Rochelle Mine (NARM)

Location: Gillette, Wyoming

Length of Service: 14 years

Keith Haukereid initially discovered how important oil analysis is for troubleshooting engines while serving as a mechanic. Now that he works as an oil analyst for Peabody Energy’s North Antelope Rochelle Mine (NARM) near Gillette, Wyoming, he has seen the cost savings associated with catching equipment failures before they turn catastrophic. After installing sample ports on all of NARM’s fuel storage stations to obtain a representative sample of the fuel, Haukereid immediately saw a three ISO code reduction just from the sample location and procedures. This has also led to increased production by improving availability and reduced downtime.

Q: What types of training have you taken to get to your current position?

A: I’ve attended Noria’s oil analysis courses as well as failure analysis and diesel fuel training.

Q: What professional certifications have you attained?

A: I have a Machine Lubricant Analyst (MLA) Level II certification through the International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML) and a Level II Failure Analysis certification.

Q: Are you planning to obtain additional training or achieve any higher certifications?

A: To further my education in oil analysis, I plan to obtain the ICML MLA Level III certification and the Certified Lubrication Specialist certification from the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers.

Q: What’s a normal work day like for you?

A: A normal day for me includes reviewing oil analysis data for the equipment, writing work orders for pieces of equipment that need to be looked at immediately, checking oil samples for fuel dilution and glycol contamination, and running patch tests for analytical ferrography.

Q: What is the amount and range of equipment that you help service through lubrication/oil analysis tasks?

A: We have 400-ton ultra-class haul trucks, blades, rubber-tired dozers, excavators, electric shovels and draglines.

Q: On what lubrication-related projects are you currently working?

A: I am busy working on filtration for our 650,000-gallon diesel fuel storage tank. With Tier 4 engines coming, we need to reduce our contaminants and have the cleanest fuel possible for the injectors. We are currently running common fuel rail systems with high pounds per square inch (psi) and anticipate the Tier 4 engines to be even higher psi and tighter tolerances.

Q: How does your company view machinery lubrication in terms of importance and overall business strategy?

A: I feel they rely on us heavily for scheduling repairs on equipment and for the basic condition of components. They have put a lot of money into schooling and equipping the oil analysis department.

Q: What do you see as some of the more important trends taking place in the lubrication and oil analysis field?

A: Filter analysis is critical for early warning detection. Oil is limited to 3 to 5 microns, so anything bigger and you miss the data.