Clarification note: Merchantability of gasoline in Platts MOC assessments

Platts would like to remind market participants that Platts assessments reflect materials that are of merchantable quality. As stated in Platts published methodology: "cargoes must at all times be deemed to fall within industry standards including merchantability of the product." Grades which are not widely merchantable -- for instance, gasoline with unusual additives, including MMT and secondary butyl acetate or unusually high quantities of certain additives or blendstocks which are not typical -- will not be reflected in the assessments. Gas chromatography is a test used by some industry participants to detect certain additives like secondary butyl acetate in gasoline and may be considered in the Platts assessment process to determine if the gasoline is atypical. Platts is currently considering any addition of SBAC above trace as deeming the gasoline atypical. Under Platts methodology, grades that are not of a merchantable quality are not considered in the assessment process. Please provide comments or feedback, on a confidential or public basis, to asia_oilproducts@platts.com and pricegroup@platts.com.