SUBSCRIBER NOTE: Platts to launch Shale Value Chain fractionation calculations

Following an extensive period of market consultation, Platts will launch several new daily assessments and calculations collectively known as the Shale Value Chain effective May 19.

The additions are in response to evolving market conditions and a shift in petrochemical cracker feedstock to natural gas liquids and away from naphtha. The foundations of the Shale Value Chain assessments lie in the benchmark natural gas prices that Platts assesses daily, as well as its daily natural gas liquids assessments.

Platts will launch the following: -- Gulf Coast Ethane Fractionation Spread -- Gulf Coast E/P Mix Fractionation Spread -- E/P Mix Midcontinent to Rockies Fractionation Spread -- E/P Mix Midcontinent Fractionation Spread -- National Raw NGL Basket Price -- National Composite Fractionation Spread

Gulf Coast Ethane Fractionation Spread The price differential between prompt purity ethane at Mont Belvieu non-LST and the Houston Ship Channel daily natural gas price.

Gulf Coast E/P Mix Fractionation Spread The price differential between prompt ethane/propane mix at Mont Belvieu non-LST and the Houston Ship Channel daily natural gas price.

E/P Mix Midcontinent to Rockies Fractionation Spread The price differential between prompt ethane/propane mix at Conway, Kansas, and the CIG, Rocky Mountains daily gas price.

E/P Mix Midcontinent Fractionation Spread The price differential between prompt ethane/propane mix at Conway, Kansas, and Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America, Midcontinent.

National Raw NGL Basket Price Comprises Mont Belvieu non-LST prices for purity ethane, propane, normal butane, isobutene and natural gasoline that are weighted by the general composition of a typical NGL barrel.

National Composite Fractionation Spread The price differential between the National Raw NGL Basket Price and the Houston Ship Channel daily gas price.

These assessments will be published daily in Platts Market Data, on Natural Gas Alert and in Gas Daily. For questions, please e-mail Samantha Santa Maria, samantha.santamaria@platts.com, with a cc to pricegroup@platts.com.