Jungent Introduces Shell MIDEL Ester Transformer Fluids

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.

04/27/202605/05/2026

Introducing Shell Helix Extra

Introducing

New packaging design for the iconic Shell Helix lubricant range — an eye-catching update that reflects the brand's continuous evolution and steadfast dedication to innovation and excellence.

Additionally a new range is being introduced — Shell Helix Extra.

Shell Helix Extra has been specifically developed for the independent workshop sector, considering the aging car parc and the corresponding older specifications. This tier provides a clear and focused proposition, while also offering a natural upsell path to the Ultra range for vehicles requiring newer specifications.

The NEW Shell Helix Product Range

Complete Power

Shell Helix Ultra

Unleash your engine's power with 99.5% purity, for ultimate strength and responsiveness.

Complete Efficiency

Shell Helix Extra

Enhance your engine's efficiency by reducing friction for optimised performance in various conditions.

Complete Protection

Shell Helix

Protect your engine by maintaining its cleanliness for extended life.

OLD NAME	NEW NAME
HELIX ULTRA PROFESSIONAL AF 5W-30	HELIX EXTRA PROFESSIONAL AF 5W-30
HELIX ULTRA PROFESSIONAL AG 5W-30	HELIX EXTRA PROFESSIONAL AG 5W-30
HELIX ULTRA PROFESSIONAL AR-L 5W-30	HELIX EXTRA PROFESSIONAL AR-L 5W-30
HELIX ULTRA PROFESSIONAL AR-L RN17 5W-30	HELIX EXTRA PROFESSIONAL AR-L RN17 5W-30
HELIX ULTRA PROFESSIONAL AT-L 5W-30	HELIX EXTRA PROFESSIONAL AT-L 5W-30
HELIX ULTRA PROFESSIONAL AP-L 5W-30	HELIX EXTRA PROFESSIONAL AP-L 5W-30
HELIX ULTRA PROFESSIONAL AJ-L 5W-30	HELIX EXTRA PROFESSIONAL AJ-L 5W-30
HELIX HX8 PROFESSIONAL AG 5W-30	HELIX EXTRA PROFESSIONAL AG GEN 1 5W-30
HELIX ULTRA PROFESSIONAL AF 5W-20	HELIX EXTRA PROFESSIONAL AF 5W-20
HELIX HX8 ECT 5W-30	HELIX EXTRA ECT MULTI 5W-30
HELIX HX8 ECT C3 5W-30	HELIX EXTRA ECT C3 5W-30
HELIX HX8 ECT 5W-40	HELIX EXTRA ECT 5W-40
HELIX HX8 5W-30	HELIX EXTRA X 5W-30
HELIX HX8 5W-40	HELIX EXTRA X 5W-40
HELIX HX8 SYNTHETIC ECT C3 5W-30	HELIX EXTRA SYNTHETIC ECT C3 5W-30

Key Benefit of Shell Helix Extra

Fuel economy by up to 1.8%¹, which means you can get up to 12 more kilometers out of every tank of fuel².
Shell Helix Extra helps to prolong the engine life, providing up to 50% enhanced protection³ that activates at critical moments.

Shell Helix Extra features Anti-Friction Technology

Forms an extra film that adapts to engine stress in real time where your engine needs it the most, making your vehicle run more efficiently⁴.
Adapts to high pressures and high temperatures.
Helps reduce wear and improve engine efficiency^5,6.

For more information please contact your Shell representative

1. According to WLTC test results using Shell Helix Extra compared with the conventional engine oil.

2. Calculated based on a vehicle travelling 640 km on a full tank of fuel, with 1.8% better fuel economy.

3. Based on OM646LA engine test compared with ACEA C3 specification.

4. According to WLTC tests results using Shell Helix Extra 5W-30 compared with the conventional engine oil.

5. According to a series tribology tests results using Shell Helix Extra compared with the conventional engine oil.

6. Based on 3D spacer layer imaging (MTM 3D-SLIM) using Shell Helix Extra compared with other fully synthetic engine oil.

02/24/202602/24/2026

Strategic Management of Construction Equipment Oils and Lubricants: A Look Back at the Jungent Latvia and Shell Industrial Conference

On February 11th, the “333” race track hosted a major industry event, bringing together construction company executives and fleet managers. The conference was organized by Jungent Latvia—the official Shell distributor in the Baltic States with 19 years of experience—in collaboration with Shell, which has been recognized as the world’s leading lubricants supplier for 19 consecutive years.

The event’s primary focus was to provide expert, in-depth knowledge on construction equipment lubrication solutions. The core goal: helping businesses reduce their Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), prevent unplanned downtime, and maximize the service life of their heavy machinery.

Innovations in the Engine Oil Segment: Shell GTL Technology

Kicking off the conference, Raimonds Sauja (Shell Lubricants Sales Manager in Latvia) guided attendees through the latest, strictest emission standards and how Shell Rimula heavy-duty engine oils have evolved to meet them.

A major highlight of the presentation was Shell’s Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) technology. This innovative process creates crystal-clear base oil from natural gas rather than crude oil, eliminating typical impurities. For construction equipment, this delivers several practical advantages:

Reduced oil consumption and evaporation, thanks to stronger molecular bonds.
Improved anti-friction properties, which directly contribute to fuel economy.
Easier cold starts and reduced engine wear, ensured by a naturally higher viscosity index, even at extreme temperatures.

Evolution of Transmission Fluids: The Need for Specialized Products

In his presentation, Arnis Ģeris explored the technical nuances of the Shell Spirax transmission fluid range, highlighting the growing demands of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). He stressed that historically popular STOU (Super Tractor Oil Universal) oils are no longer sufficient for modern construction equipment, as they fail to meet the stringent engine oil quality standards required by today’s machinery.

Relying on inadequate universal fluids carries significant risks:

Foaming can occur in hydraulic systems, causing the system to “jerk” and leading to pump defects caused by cavitation.
An inappropriate friction coefficient can cause “wet brake” noise and impair clutch performance.

To avoid these issues, modern machinery requires specialized UTTO or TO-4 specification oils (such as Shell Spirax S4 CX and S4 TXM). These fluids are precisely formulated to handle specific friction materials and heavy loads.

Hydraulic System Efficiency and Reliability

Andrés Nazir Orozco Ramírez, Technical Manager from the Shell Global Team, analyzed the challenges facing modern hydraulic systems—namely, increasing power density, higher operating pressures, and smaller oil reservoirs. These factors put immense stress on hydraulic fluids, which is exactly what Shell Tellus hydraulic oils are designed to handle.

The presentation showcased impressive test results for Shell Tellus S2 VX and the innovative Shell Tellus S4 VE. Unlike many alternatives, Shell Tellus products demonstrate an exceptional ability to separate from water and maintain high filterability even in wet conditions, preventing costly filter blockages. Additionally, the biodegradable Shell PANOLIN series was highlighted as the ultimate solution for ecologically sensitive environments, delivering maximum performance and protection while complying with strict environmental standards.

To demonstrate the financial impact, a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) case study was presented: by switching a crusher’s standard hydraulic oil to Shell Tellus S2 VX 46 and utilizing Shell LubeAnalyst monitoring, a company successfully extended its oil drain interval from 800 to 2,000 hours, dramatically cutting downtime and maintenance costs.

Grease Specifications and Compatibility Risks

The theoretical section on lubrication wrapped up with practical guidance on selecting the right Shell Gadus greases. A crucial topic was the chemical compatibility of different thickeners. Experts warned that mixing incompatible greases (for example, combining a lithium-based grease with a bentonite-based one) can cause the mixture to become too liquid, harden, or bleed oil. This strips bearings and pins of essential lubrication, resulting in costly, irreversible equipment damage.

Professional NB Quality Solutions for Equipment Maintenance

The practical side of the event was complemented by Urmo Aava, who presented the product range of NB Quality, the leading technical aerosol brand in the Baltics. The brand offers field-tested solutions specifically tailored for harsh industrial environments, making daily mechanical work much easier:

High-performance cleaners: ranging from universal solvents to powerful agents for removing deep soot and stubborn deposits.
Fast-acting rust removers: featuring products with a cold-shock effect and special additives (MoS2, graphite) to tackle even the most complex dismantling jobs.
Durable assembly greases and oils: ceramic and copper greases with moisture-resistant base oils, guaranteeing high adhesion, excellent corrosion protection, and thermal resistance up to +1200°C.

These advanced maintenance products are designed to speed up service routines and ensure reliable equipment operation, even in the most hard-to-reach components.

Practical Experience, Industry Machinery, and Car Tests

The informative sessions were backed up by a real-world defect analysis, allowing attendees to physically inspect engine, transmission, and hydraulic system components that had been damaged by the use of incorrect oils.

Our cooperation partners Baltem and Alwark added tremendous value to the event, giving attendees the chance to get up close and evaluate the latest, most powerful Komatsu and Hitachi industrial machinery right at the venue.

The conference concluded on a high note, offering participants an exclusive networking opportunity in an informal atmosphere, along with a chance to test their driving skills on the challenging “333” off-road track. An impressive fleet of vehicles was available for test drives, including the FOTON TUNLAND V9 and G7, Chery, VW Amarok, VW Touareg, and the innovative electric KGM pick-up, proving their mettle in real off-road conditions.

Summary

The significance and added value of the event for the industry were summarized by Ronalds Dzelme, Shell Marketing Manager in the Baltic States:

“This conference clearly demonstrated that choosing the right lubricants isn’t just a technical maintenance topic — it’s a strategic business decision that directly affects a company’s profitability. We are thrilled by the strong interest from industry professionals and grateful for the opportunity to share Shell’s global expertise right here in Latvia, blending valuable knowledge with an exciting experience on the track.”

Proper lubrication is an investment. Jungent Latvia and Shell would like to thank all participants and partners for contributing to a highly successful and professional event!