SUBSCRIBER NOTE: Platts will not publish counterbids to North Sea STS offers after industry consultation

Following extensive feedback from market participants, S&P Global Platts will retain its current approach to the publication of STS indications in the North Sea physical Market on Close assessment process, and will not begin publishing counterbids for STS North Sea crude oil cargoes.

This decision follows a proposal initially published December 12, 2017 and available here: https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/our-methodology/subscriber-notes/121217-pl atts-proposes-publishing-counterbids-to-north-sea-sts-offers.

Platts will continue to publish North Sea STS crude oil cargo offers on a Dated Brent-related, Cash BFOE-related, and flat price basis, which are received in full before 15:30:00 London time. Following this decision, Platts will not publish bids for North Sea STS cargoes.

Please send any further comments and feedback to europe_crude@spglobal.com and 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.