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

After consultation with the industry, Platts will start publishing an assessment reflecting the price of Russia's Sakhalin Blend crude from May 4, 2015.

This assessment will be identical to, and published alongside, the existing Vityaz crude assessment.

Platts will 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 ensures Platts assessments and terminology conform 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.