B737 flight crew reported shutting down the number 1 engine due to a complete loss of oil quantity.

Attributes
ACN	1591336
Time
Date	201810
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737-700
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Powerplant Lubrication System
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 329
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Instrument
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 250
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe

Narrative:

My first officer and I were flying aircraft X from ZZZ to [our destination]. Climbing out of 11;000 feet the white box around the engine instruments started flashing. I then noticed the number 1 oil quantity was indicating 0 with lo caution. We decided to level off and trouble shoot. The first officer continued to fly and talk to ATC. We still had normal oil pressure but saw that oil temperature was increasing. So we decided to complete a precautionary engine shutdown. I ran the engine shutdown/failure checklist. After securing the engine we [notified ATC] and returned to ZZZ. I notified dispatch; ZZZ ops; and fas (flight attendants). I ran the pwb numbers for flaps 15 landing at ZZZ.I took aircraft control at 4;000 feet and successfully completed landing at ZZZ. We taxied to the gate normally. After talking to mechanics they confirmed the oil quantity was empty. I wrote a logbook entry up. I then called dispatch and talked to dispatcher; maintenance control; and chief pilot on call. The only question is that there is no real guidance for a zero oil indication in the QRH. We assessed the situation and determined the precautionary shutdown was best and safest course of action.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 flight crew reported shutting down the Number 1 engine due to a complete loss of oil quantity.

Narrative: My First Officer and I were flying Aircraft X from ZZZ to [our destination]. Climbing out of 11;000 feet the white box around the engine instruments started flashing. I then noticed the Number 1 oil quantity was indicating 0 with LO caution. We decided to level off and trouble shoot. The First Officer continued to fly and talk to ATC. We still had normal oil pressure but saw that oil temperature was increasing. So we decided to complete a precautionary engine shutdown. I ran the Engine Shutdown/Failure Checklist. After securing the engine we [notified ATC] and returned to ZZZ. I notified Dispatch; ZZZ Ops; and FAs (Flight Attendants). I ran the PWB numbers for flaps 15 landing at ZZZ.I took aircraft control at 4;000 feet and successfully completed landing at ZZZ. We taxied to the gate normally. After talking to mechanics they confirmed the oil quantity was empty. I wrote a logbook entry up. I then called Dispatch and talked to Dispatcher; Maintenance Control; and Chief Pilot on Call. The only question is that there is no real guidance for a zero oil indication in the QRH. We assessed the situation and determined the precautionary shutdown was best and safest course of action.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.