B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 329
Time Pressure; Distraction; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
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 performance 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.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
B737 flight crew reported shutting down the Number 1 engine due to a complete loss of oil quantity.