Power substation transformers serviced by Shell MIDEL ester transformer oil in the Baltics

News · Product Launch

Shell MIDEL Ester Transformer Oil — Now Available in the Baltics via Jungent

Fire-safe, readily biodegradable, high-performance ester transformer oil — distributed in Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania.

Jungent, the official Shell Lubricants distributor, introduces Shell MIDEL ester transformer oil to the Baltic region. Utilities, industrial end users and transformer OEMs across Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania now gain direct access to one of the world's most trusted families of fire-safe, biodegradable, high-performance transformer fluids. Local technical support is included.

Safety Inside

Shell MIDEL delivers fire-safe properties alongside the increased transformer performance that end users are increasingly demanding. By safeguarding the transformer, Shell MIDEL protects the buildings, people and environment surrounding it.

Proven performance ester transformer oil

Shell MIDEL synthetic and natural ester transformer oil is selected by utilities and transformer OEMs across the globe. It is recognised for excellent fire safety and environmental protection. It also extends the life of transformer cellulose insulation — mitigating the risk of damage to life, property and the environment.

Jungent now supplies all three Shell MIDEL ester transformer fluids: Shell MIDEL 7131 (synthetic ester), Shell MIDEL eN 1204 (rapeseed/canola natural ester) and Shell MIDEL eN 1215 (soybean natural ester). All three are readily biodegradable.

Properties that drive installation savings

High fire point Critical fire safety, saves on fire-protection costs.

Low pour point Premier liquid for cold climates — ideal for Baltic winters.

Readily biodegradable Protects the environment, reduces containment costs.

High moisture tolerance Extends insulation life, lowers total cost of ownership.

All Shell MIDEL ester liquids are FM Approved (less-flammable fluids) and UL Classified.

Lineman servicing a distribution transformer at sunset — fire safety with Shell MIDEL transformer oil

Your trusted adviser on ester transformer oil

Shell's engineers and technical experts contribute to IEC, IEEE, ASTM and CIGRÉ working groups. Through Jungent, that expertise is paired with local supply, lead-time and after-sales support across the Baltics.

All Shell MIDEL liquids are readily biodegradable and non-hazardous.

Which Shell MIDEL?

Power transformer illustration — choosing the right Shell MIDEL ester transformer oil

Synthetic ester

Shell MIDEL 7131

Fire-safe, high-performance fluid. The choice when performance demands are highest — especially in cold climates (pour point −56°C) or where contact with air is a risk. Ideal indoors, outdoors or underground, and in high-temperature breathing equipment. Proven over 400 kV.

Standards: IEC 61099, ASTM D8240

Natural ester · rapeseed/canola

Shell MIDEL eN 1204

Bio-sourced from rapeseed/canola oil. With a pour point of −31°C and good oxidation characteristics versus soybean esters, it is a highly effective natural ester for cooler climates.

Standards: IEC 62770, IEEE C57.147, ASTM D6871

Natural ester · soybean

Shell MIDEL eN 1215

A bio-sourced soybean natural ester. An efficient general-purpose fluid — ideal for a wide range of transformers located indoors or outdoors.

Standards: IEC 62770, IEEE C57.147, ASTM D6871

Like all natural ester transformer fluids, Shell MIDEL eN 1204 and eN 1215 are best suited for use in non-breathing equipment.

High-voltage power infrastructure — Shell MIDEL ester transformer oil deployed globally

Global experience with ester transformer oil

With operations in the UK, Americas, Europe and Asia, Shell MIDEL continues to spearhead the adoption of ester transformer oil. Through Jungent, that expertise is now available across the Baltic region.

Selection guide — technical data

Typical values. The product specifications are listed in the product brochures.

Property	Standard	eN 1215 soybean	eN 1204 rapeseed/canola	7131 synthetic	Mineral oil conventional
Physical
Colour	D1500	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5
Flash point PMCC (°C)	D93 / ISO 2719	> 260	> 260	260	150
Flash point COC (°C)	D92 / ISO 2592	> 315	> 315	275	160
Fire point (°C)	D92 / ISO 2592	> 350	> 350	316	170
IEC classification	IEC 61039	K2	K2	K3	O1
Pour point (°C)	D97 / ISO 3016	−18	−31	−56	−50
Density at 20°C (g/cm³)	ISO 3675	0.92	0.92	0.97	0.88
Viscosity at 40°C (mm²/s)	D445 / ISO 3104	32	37	29	8.7
Biodegradation (OECD 301)	—	Readily	Readily	Readily	Non-biodegradable
Electrical
Dielectric breakdown (kV)	D877	≥ 30	≥ 30	47	43
Breakdown — 2.5 mm gap	IEC 60156	> 75	> 75	> 75	> 70
Dissipation factor at 90°C	IEC 60247	< 0.03	< 0.03	< 0.008	< 0.001
Chemical
Corrosive sulphur	D1275 / IEC 62535	Non-corrosive	Non-corrosive	Non-corrosive	Non-corrosive
Water content (mg/kg)	D1533 / IEC 60814	50	50	50	10
Acid number (mg KOH/g)	D974 / IEC 62021	≤ 0.04	≤ 0.04	≤ 0.03	≤ 0.01
PCB content (mg/kg)	D4059	Not detectable	Not detectable	Not detectable	Not detectable

Why end users select Shell MIDEL

Reduces owner risk, land space and costs

Fire resilience, personnel safety, smaller substation footprint, lower insurance.

Increases performance

Hotter running and sustainable overloading.

Lowers environmental harm

Readily biodegradable and non-hazardous.

Higher return on investment

Improved reliability and longer asset life.

Pristine forest landscape illustrating biodegradable Shell MIDEL transformer oil environmental protection

Environmental protection — biodegradable transformer oil

Comparative biodegradation: Shell MIDEL natural esters reach 60% within 5 days — well inside the 28-day OECD 301 B threshold.

Comparative biodegradation chart of Shell MIDEL natural and synthetic esters versus mineral oil and silicone oil

60% biodegradability
Well within the 28-day OECD 301 B threshold.

Reduced containment
May enable reductions in containment measures.

Non-hazardous
Per CLP regulation and GHS guidance.

Industrial fire-safety scene — Shell MIDEL fire-safe ester transformer oil mitigates transformer fire risk

Fire safety with Shell MIDEL transformer oil

A high fire point mitigates downtime, blackouts, insurance hikes, clean-up costs and reputational damage.

K classification (IEC 61039) — reduces the need for fire-protection equipment and saves space.

Minimum required clearances for an example transformer (fluid volume 2,000–19,000 L)

Diagram comparing minimum required clearance: 7.6 m with reinforced concrete walls for O-Class mineral oil versus 1.5 m for K-Class ester transformer oil

O Class — 7.6 m clearance

Requires reinforced concrete walls — expensive and carbon-intensive to manufacture and transport.

K Class — 1.5 m clearance

Unrated walls, no blast walls or fire-suppression system, minimal concrete and land use — faster, simpler, lower-carbon substation builds.

FM Approved less-flammable fluid in an advanced transformer: minimum clearance just 0.9 m — a potential substation footprint reduction.

Shell MIDEL in the Baltics — supplied by Jungent

Authorised distributor for Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. Direct supply, product selection support and technical consultation for utilities, industrial sites and transformer OEMs.

Request a quote or technical consultation → Find out more on Shell.com →

References & disclaimers Shell MIDEL fluids are classified as K Class, with high fire and flash points, and are less flammable. Shell MIDEL can be claimed as readily biodegradable according to OECD 301 test (product). Non-hazardous per CLP regulation and GHS guidance. FM Approved and UL Classified. Clearance figures based on FM Global Data Sheet 5-4 (April 2025); spacing based on fire clearances only and should not override local legislation. Source: Shell MIDEL Selection Guide, July 2025. © Shell International Ltd.