SUBSCRIBER NOTE: Platts changes its Butane FOB Seagoing assessment

Please note Platts has made a number of changes in its Butane FOB Seagoing pressurized assessment with effect from January 3, 2017. Platts has standardized the name of the assessment across all publications, and updated the specification referenced in the methodology guide, volumes and locations assessed.

This follows a decision subscriber note published on September 15, 2016.

NAME OF ASSESSMENT: In certain publications Platts described this assessment as Butane FOB Seagoing. Platts has standardized this to "Butane FOB NWE Seagoing".

SPECIFICATION: Platts has removed reference in the methodology guide of a specification of 70% normal butane and 30% isobutane with a maximum olefin content of 10%. Platts will continue to reflect mixed butane with up to a maximum of 85% normal butane, 49% isobutane and 30% olefins, including both field and refinery grades.

VOLUME ASSESSED: Platts has changed the volume under assessment, from a minimum of 1,000 mt plus or minus 5% tolerance to 1,800 mt plus or minus 5%, and from a maximum of 3,600 mt plus or minus 5% to 6,000 mt plus or minus 5%.

LOADING BASIS: Platts reflects loadings from the Northwest European region. Platts publishes bids, offers and transactions for coasters loading in relevant ports in Norway, Denmark and Sweden but these are normalized back to Northwest Europe. This replaces a previous standard reflecting an area represented by a triangle with Wilhelmshaven, Germany, Teesside, UK, and Le Havre, France, as its three corners.

Platts welcomes feedback and questions to europe_products@platts.com, with a cc to pricegroup@platts.com. For written comments, please provide a clear indication if the comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing. Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.