SUBSCRIBER NOTE: Platts updates proposal to amended Europe VGO specifications

Platts has updated its proposal to amend and update the specifications it reflects in its European high and low sulfur VGO assessments, following feedback received to its initial proposal to update these specifications, published on July 30, 2014. Following this consultation, Platts is now specifically seeking feedback on aniline, asphaltene, nitrogen and sulfur parameters. Platts now proposes to clarify its specifications for these elements. Platts has updated its implementation to January 2, 2015. Platts previously proposed to update its specifications with effect from October 1. From January 2 onwards, Platts intends to reflect the following specifications in its high sulfur VGO assessments: Sulfur: 2% max; Density: 0.92 g/ml max; Metals: Iron 2 ppm max, Sodium 2 ppm max, Nickel 1 ppm max, Copper 1 ppm max, Vanadium 1ppm max; CCR: 0.5% max; Nitrogen: 1700ppm max; Pour point: 45 degrees C max; Flashpoint: 100 degrees C min; Aniline: 75 degrees C min; Asphaltenes: 700 ppm max; Tan: 0.5 mg KOH/g max. Platts current HSVGO specifications read: 2% maximum sulfur, specific gravity 0.900-0.920 g/ml. Also from January 2, Platts intends to reflect the following specifications in its LSVGO assessment: Sulfur: 0.6% max; Density: 0.92 g/ml max; Metals: Iron 2 ppm max, Sodium 2 ppm max, Nickel 1 ppm max, Copper 1 ppm max, Vanadium 1ppm max; CCR: 0.5% max; Nitrogen: 1500ppm max; Pour point: 45 degrees C max; Flashpoint: 100 degrees C min; Aniline: 80 degrees C min; Asphaltenes: 700 ppm max; Tan: 0.5 mg KOH/g max. Platts current LSVGO specifications read: 0.5-0.6% sulfur, specific gravity 0.900-0.920 g/ml. Platts will continue to consider other merchantable LSVGO and HSVGO specifications in its assessment process, and may normalize to the updated specifications. Please send any comments or questions by November 14 to europe_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.