SUBSCRIBER NOTE: Platts opens consultation on West African gasoline assessments

S&P Global Platts is opening a formal consultation on possible methodology changes to its West Africa Gasoline FOB Northwest Europe assessment and associated West Africa Gasoline CIF West Africa netback in response to regulatory changes in Nigeria and Ghana.

Platts welcomes feedback from market participants on whether and how to align these assessments to recent specification changes to West African import grades, as well as the timing of any such changes, to ensure that its relevant assessments reflect prevalent merchantable specifications in that region.

This consultation also welcomes feedback on typical cargo sizes on the trade flow between Northwest Europe and West Africa.

Nigeria's NNPC has said it is considering amending import specifications for gasoline as outlined in its Direct Sale Direct Purchase model.

Specifically, it is considering lowering sulfur levels from the current 1,000 ppm, as well as other specifications.

Meanwhile, Ghana's National Petroleum Authority has said it will introduce a sulfur cap on gasoline imports of 50 ppm from July 1.

Platts West Africa Gasoline FOB Northwest Europe assessment and associated West Africa Gasoline CIF West Africa assessments currently reflect 1,000 ppm.

Nigeria is the largest importer of gasoline in the West African region, importing up to around 1 million mt of gasoline a month. The vast majority of the West African grade gasoline originates from Northwest Europe.

Throughout this consultation, Platts also seeks feedback on the timing of this potential methodology change.

Please send any comments or queries by July 31, 2017 to europe_products@spglobal.com with a cc to 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.