Subscriber note: Platts to launch new Group 3 gasoline assessment Sept 3

Platts confirms it will launch a new, sub-octane (V grade) gasoline assessment for Group 3 in the US Midwest on September 3, 2013. Following further updates and feedback to its proposal, Platts would like to inform readers that this new assessment will be identified as "sub-octane" and will reflect either a minimum 84 octane rating, or a minimum 83 octane rating provided that the shipper can demonstrate an 87 octane rating after blending 10% ethanol. This follows recent revisions in specification by the pipeline operator. This assessment will reflect Magellan Pipeline specifications for the sub-octane gasoline on a FOB basis at the injection point in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This assessment will appear on PGA page 320 and in US Marketscan and Oilgram Price Report. Platts will also publish an intraday assessment on Platts Global Alert page 302 alongside our existing gasoline intraday assessments. Platts continues to seek feedback on a proposal to discontinue Group 3 conventional 87 octane gasoline (N grade) assessment on January 1, 2014, meaning December 31, 2013 will be the last day of the N grade assessment. This change is being proposed in light of the shift away from finished gasoline toward sub-octane in the Group 3 market, and previously announced changes by Magellan Pipeline to phase out finished gasoline shipments from its system and begin shipping only sub-octane shipments September 15. Magellan has already begun to ship sub-octane on its system. Please send and further questions or comments to americas_products@platts.com with a cc to pricegroup@platts.com. Written feedback should clearly indicate if it is intended to be treated as confidential.