SUBSCRIBER NOTE: Platts to end USGC CIF naphtha cargo assessments

Following a period of industry feedback that ended May 31, 2014, Platts confirms it will discontinue assessments for US Gulf Coast naphtha CIF cargoes effective April 1, 2015. Platts opened this consultation on the future of the assessments on September 24, 2013.

This proposed discontinuation is due to substantial changes in market conditions. Significant growth in naphtha production, a result of liquids-rich gas drilling and light crude oil domestic production, has shifted the US from a net importer to a net exporter of light naphtha and natural gasoline, and these exports have increased substantially as rising US supplies will continue to overwhelm demand.

Platts launched on January 2, 2014, a new naphtha assessment for cargoes loading at US Gulf Coast terminals on an FOB basis.

These assessments are published on Platts Global Alert pages 26, 34, and 338, Platts BioFuels Alert page 760, in US Marketscan, North American Crude and Products Scan, Platts Oilgram Price Report, and in the Platts assessment database under codes AAKWL00 for US Gulf Coast heavy naphtha cargo, and PAAAC00 for US Gulf Coast full range naphtha cargo.

Please send all additional comments to americas_products@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.