Chemicals, Refined Products, Aromatics

October 17, 2024

Platts proposes to launch weekly European Group 2, Group 3 base oils assessments

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, proposes to launch weekly CFR Europe Group 2 and Group 3 base oils spot assessments on Dec. 11, 2024.

The proposed assessments would reflect spot cargoes for Group 2 150 N, 220 N, 600 N and unapproved Group 3 4CST and 6CST base oils.

The new Group 2 and Group 3 CFR Europe assessments would be basis Rotterdam, published in $/mt and would take into consideration price information gathered during the week ahead of the assessment, with indications normalized to the close at 4.30 pm London time on Wednesday of each week. The assessments would reflect the values of physical base oils cargoes at the close of 4.30 pm London time on Wednesdays and would follow a London publishing schedule. When a UK public holiday falls on the planned publishing day, the assessment would be published the day prior to the public holiday.

Details of the proposed specifications:

Group 2

150N

ASTM Color Maximum 1.5
Appearance Bright and clear
Viscosity at 40 degrees Celsius 28.1-31 millimeters squared per second
Viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius 5-5.6 millimeters squared per second
Viscosity Index Minimum 95
Flash Point Minimum 200 degrees Celsius
Pour Point Maximum -10 degrees Celsius
Vessel Size 15,000-30,000 mt
Laycan 20-45 days forward delivery
Basis Port Rotterdam

220N

ASTM Color Maximum 1
Appearance Bright and clear
Viscosity at 40 degrees Celsius 40-46 millimeters squared per second
Viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius 6.1-8.0 millimeters squared per second
Viscosity Index Minimum 95
Flash Point Minimum 216 degrees Celsius
Pour Point Maximum -12 degrees Celsius
Vessel Size 15,000-30,000 mt
Laycan 20-45 days forward delivery
Basis Port Rotterdam

600N

ASTM Color Maximum 2
Appearance Bright and clear
Viscosity at 40 degrees Celsius 94.4-98.0 millimeters squared per second
Viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius 9.5-13 millimeters squared per second
Viscosity Index Minimum 95
Flash Point Minimum 230 degrees Celsius
Pour Point Maximum -9 degrees Celsius
Vessel Size 15,000-30,000 mt
Laycan 20-45 days forward delivery
Basis Port Rotterdam

Unapproved Group 3

4CST

Appearance Bright and clear
Viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius 4.0-4.5 millimeters squared per second
Viscosity Index Minimum 120
Flash Point Minimum 200 degrees Celsius
Pour Point Maximum -15 degrees Celsius
Evaporation Loss Maximum 15.5%
Sulfur content Max 15ppm
Vessel Size 15,000-30,000 mt
Laycan 20-45 days forward delivery
Basis Port Rotterdam

6CST

Appearance Bright and clear
Viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius 5.8-6.2 millimeters squared per second
Viscosity Index Minimum 120
Flash Point Minimum 220 degrees Celsius
Pour Point Maximum -15 degrees Celsius
Evaporation Loss Maximum 8.5%
Sulfur Content Max 15ppm
Vessel Size 15,000-30,000 mt
Laycan 20-45 days forward delivery
Basis Port Rotterdam

Pricing information with terms, locations, and specifications different from the above standard may be considered for assessment purposes, subject to normalization.

Please send any questions, comments, or feedback to europe_products@spglobal.com with a copy to pricegroup@spglobal.com by Nov. 4 2024.

For written comments, please provide a clear indication if they 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.