Subscriber note: Platts proposes new West African crude assessments

Platts proposes to begin publishing daily assessments for five new West African crudes. The new assessments -- for two Nigerian grades, two Angolan grades and one grade produced from the Republic of Congo -- would be launched with effect from August 1, 2013. Platts proposes to publish assessments for Nigeria's Akpo and Bonga grades. Akpo is a light, sweet crude, similar in specification to Nigeria's Agbami. Its production is currently in the region of 160,000 b/d from an FPSO offshore Nigeria. Bonga is a medium, sweet crude, with a similar production portfolio to Akpo, though operated by Shell from an offshore FPSO. Platts also proposes to publish assessments for Angola's Pazflor and Plutonio. Pazflor is a heavy, sweet crude with a current production rate of of about 200,000 b/d. Its FPSO, which is operated by Total, is located offshore Angola and is fed by one of the larger fields in Angola. Plutonio is a medium, sweet crude with a similar daily production volume as Pazflor. It is operated by BP, from its FPSO also located offshore Angola. Finally, Platts plans to begin publishing daily assessments for Djeno, produced from the Republic of Congo. Djeno is a heavy-sweet crude produced onshore and operated by Total. The Djeno terminal can accommodate VLCC vessels. Its production is currently in the region of 160,000 b/d. Specifications, nameplate production, operators and equity partners for all the crudes mentioned above are listed below. These new assessments would add to Platts' existing West African crude assessment portfolio. Platts currently assesses 12 West African grades: six Nigerian and six Angolan. Please send any feedback by July 19, to europe_crude@platts.com and pricegroup@platts.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.

Crude API (deg C) Sulfur (%) Max Capacity (b/d) Operator Akpo 45.98 0.06 180,000 Total Bonga 30.19 0.25 180,000 Shell Pazflor 25.6 0.41 220,000 Total Plutonio 33.2 0.37 240,000 BP Djeno 27.29 0.39 200,000 Total

Crude Equity partners Akpo Total, CNOOC, Petrobras, NNPC, Sapetro Bonga NNPC, Shell, Eni, ExxonMobil, Elf Petroleum Nigeria Limited Pazflor Total, BP, ExxonMobil, Sonangol, Statoil Plutonio BP, Sonangol, and Sonangol Sinopec International Djeno SNPC, Total, Agip, Chevron