Refined Products, Gasoline

May 02, 2025

Platts amends quality specifications for Middle East gasoline assessments

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, has amended the quality specifications reflected in its assessments of RON 92 and RON 95 gasoline cargoes loading from the Middle East (FOB Arab Gulf), effective May 2.

This follows a proposal note (opens in a new tab)published Jan. 15.

In line with evolving gasoline markets in relation to cleaner fuels, the Platts FOB Fujairah outright assessments and the RON 92, RON 95 Arab Gulf FOB and CFR spot differential assessments will reflect gasoline specifications in line with the Euro 5 fuel standards with a maximum sulfur content of 0.001% (10 parts per million) from May 2.

Platts Middle East gasoline specifications
PropertyUnitReflected standard from May 2Previous standard
Research Octane Number-Min 92, min 95Min 92, min 95
Motor Octane Number-Min 82, min 85Min 82, min 85
Appearance-Bright clear and free from water and suspended impuritiesClear
Odor-MarketableMarketable
Color-UndyedUndyed
Corrosion, copper strip (3 hrs at 50 °C)-Max 1Max 1
Density at 15°Cg/ml0.72-0.7750.72-0.78
Distillation
10% vol recovered at (°C)°CMax 80Max 80
50% vol recovered at (°C)°CMin 80, max 125Min 80, max 120
90% vol recovered at (°C)°CMax 180Max 180
End point (°C)°CMax 210Max 210
Residuevol %Max 2Max 2
Doctor test-NegativeNegative
Gum, existentmg/100 mlMax 5Max 4
Induction periodminutesMin 360Min 480
Lead contentgPb /lMax 0.005 (no intentional addition)Max 0.013
Reid vapor pressure at 37.8 °CpsiMax 9Max 9
Sulfurwt %Max 0.001Max 0.01
Oxygen contentwt %2.7-
Allowed oxygenates (if added)vol %Max 15 (of which maximum MTBE content of 10.0)Max 15 (of which maximum MTBE content of 10.0)
Alcohol-No additions of any alcoholNo additions of any alcohol
Aromaticsvol %Max 35Max 35
Benzenevol %Max 1Max 1
Olefinsvol %Max 18Max 18
Additives-No metal additives; no metal octane boostersNo metal additives; no metal octane boosters
Manganesemg/100 ml2.0 maximum-
Iron (Fe)mg/100 mlNo iron-based octane-enhancing additive permitted-

The changes in gasoline specifications for the Middle East will not affect the FOB Arab Gulf 92 and 95 RON netback assessments, which derive their values from the price assessments at the trading hub of Singapore after adjusting for shipping costs. These will continue to mirror the existing FOB Singapore gasoline specifications.

Platts periodically reviews the specifications of its assessments to ensure they are representative of the most tradable grades.

Please send any feedback or questions to asia_products@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com.

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.