Narrative:

Our layover was extended due to the fact that the inbound aircraft had an in flight engine shutdown due to low oil quantity and low oil pressure. Mechanics were flown in to work on the aircraft overnight. We were told the aircraft would be ready the following morning and we would fly the aircraft out. During the preflight we noted that both engines had 22 quarts of oil. We had normal takeoff and climb to FL350. During the initial cruise portion of the flight we noted that both engine oil quantities had stabilized at about 12 quarts. As the flight progressed we noticed the right engine oil quantity beginning to decrease. It slowly went from 12 to 10 to 9 to 8 to 6 quarts. At this point the captain and I became concerned about the oil loss and decided the safest action would be to return to the departure airport. The communications with dispatch and maintenance control were very difficult through commercial radio. We ended up relaying most of our information through a company flight that could use their ACARS. As we returned to the airport the oil quantity in the right engine continued to decrease to 4 quarts. We had all available checklists out and were prepared for an engine shutdown if necessary. We did not declare and emergency and discussed continuing to another airport for passenger convenience. As the oil quantity continued to decrease we decided our departure airport would be a better decision. The right engine oil pressure and temperature remained steady and we did not shut down an engine. We had an uneventful approach and landing into our departure airport. After landing and shutdown we noted the right engine had 13 quarts of oil remaining. In the course of about two and a half hours of flight we had lost over 9 quarts of oil. We had a company engine specialist on our flight. He told us that this engine had a long history of problems with it. I don't feel the proper maintenance was done on this engine. Also communication with dispatch and maintenance were very difficult; almost impossible via HF phone patch. We were then instructed to deadhead home on the next flight.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B757 flight crew experiences a steady oil loss from the right engine during an oceanic crossing. The crew elects to return to the departure airport and lands prior to oil depletion. The aircraft had a history of oil leaks from this engine.

Narrative: Our layover was extended due to the fact that the inbound aircraft had an in flight engine shutdown due to low oil quantity and low oil pressure. Mechanics were flown in to work on the aircraft overnight. We were told the aircraft would be ready the following morning and we would fly the aircraft out. During the preflight we noted that both engines had 22 quarts of oil. We had normal takeoff and climb to FL350. During the initial cruise portion of the flight we noted that both engine oil quantities had stabilized at about 12 quarts. As the flight progressed we noticed the right engine oil quantity beginning to decrease. It slowly went from 12 to 10 to 9 to 8 to 6 quarts. At this point the Captain and I became concerned about the oil loss and decided the safest action would be to return to the departure airport. The communications with Dispatch and Maintenance Control were very difficult through commercial radio. We ended up relaying most of our information through a company flight that could use their ACARS. As we returned to the airport the oil quantity in the right engine continued to decrease to 4 quarts. We had all available checklists out and were prepared for an engine shutdown if necessary. We did not declare and emergency and discussed continuing to another airport for passenger convenience. As the oil quantity continued to decrease we decided our departure airport would be a better decision. The right engine oil pressure and temperature remained steady and we did not shut down an engine. We had an uneventful approach and landing into our departure airport. After landing and shutdown we noted the right engine had 13 quarts of oil remaining. In the course of about two and a half hours of flight we had lost over 9 quarts of oil. We had a Company engine specialist on our flight. He told us that this engine had a long history of problems with it. I don't feel the proper maintenance was done on this engine. Also communication with Dispatch and Maintenance were very difficult; almost impossible via HF phone patch. We were then instructed to deadhead home on the next flight.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.