SUBSCRIBER NOTE: Platts proposes to publish Sakhalin Blend crude assessments to replace Vityaz

Platts proposes to start publishing an assessment reflecting the price of Russia's "Sakhalin Blend" crude from May 1, 2015.

This assessment would be identical to, and published alongside, the existing "Vityaz" crude assessment. Platts proposes to discontinue the existing Vityaz assessment from January 2, 2016. The new Sakhalin Blend assessment and associated code would carry the historical data for the Vityaz assessment.

The change in name would not alter any other aspects of Platts assessment of the Russian crude.

The proposed change would ensure Platts' assessments and terminology conforms with the latest market conventions. Platts understands that Sakhalin Energy, the operator of the Sakhalin-2 offshore project in Russia's Far East, has replaced its Vityaz crude grade with the Sakhalin Blend starting from December 2014. The official trade name of the crude associated with production from Sakhalin-2 offshore project and other entities is Sakhalin Blend.

Please send all comments, feedback and questions on the proposed change to asia_crude@platts.com and pricegroup@platts.com by March 9, 2015.

For written comments, please provide a clear indication if 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.