Refined Products

December 04, 2024

Platts to launch weekly Asia Base Oil assessments

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, will launch weekly base oil spot assessments, effective Dec. 11, 2024.

The assessments will reflect spot cargoes for:

Group I

Grade Basis Quantity Laycan Location
SN150 CFR Northeast Asia 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan
SN500 CFR Northeast Asia 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan
Bright Stock CFR Northeast Asia 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan
SN150 CFR India 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Mumbai
SN500 CFR India 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Mumbai
Bright Stock CFR India 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Mumbai
SN150 CFR UAE 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Sharjah
SN500 CFR UAE 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Sharjah

Group II

Grade Basis Quantity Laycan Location
150N FOB Asia 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea
500N FOB Asia 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea
150N CFR Northeast Asia 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan
500N CFR Northeast Asia 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan
150N CFR India 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Mumbai
500N CFR India 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Mumbai

Group III - Approved

Grade Basis Quantity Laycan Location
4CST FOB South Korea 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Ulsan
6CST FOB South Korea 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Ulsan
8CST FOB South Korea 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Ulsan
4CST CFR India 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Mumbai
6CST CFR India 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Mumbai
8CST CFR India 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Mumbai
4CST ex-tank UAE Minimum 10 mt 1-10 days forward Sharjah
6CST ex-tank UAE Minimum 10 mt 1-10 days forward Sharjah
8CST ex-tank UAE Minimum 10 mt 1-10 days forward Sharjah

The new assessments will be 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 Singapore time on Wednesday of each week.

The assessments will reflect the values of physical base oils cargoes at the close of 4:30 pm Singapore time on Wednesday and will follow the Singapore publishing schedule. When a Singapore public holiday falls on the planned publishing day, the assessment would be published the day prior to the public holiday.

Details of specifications:

Group I

SN150 SN500 Bright Stock
ASTM Color Maximum 1.5 Maximum 4 Maximum 6
Viscosity at 40 degrees Celsius 28-35 mm squared/s 95-125 mm squared/s -
Viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius 4.4-5.9 mm squared/s 9.5-13 mm squared/s 30-35 mm squared/s
Viscosity Index Minimum 88 Minimum 88 Minimum 95
Flash Point Minimum 200 degrees Celsius Minimum 210 Minimum 270
Pour Point Maximum -6 degrees Celsius Maximum -6 degrees Celsius Maximum -6 degrees Celsius

Group II

150N 500N
ASTM Color Maximum 0.5 Maximum 0.5
Viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius 5.0-5.6 millimeters squared per second 10-12 millimeters squared per second
Viscosity Index Minimum 95 Minimum 95
Flash Point Minimum 200 degrees Celsius Minimum 230 degree Celsius
Pour Point Maximum -12 degrees Celsius Maximum -12 degree Celsius

Group III - Approved

4CST 6CST 8CST
ASTM Color Maximum 0.5 Maximum 0.5 Maximum 0.5
Viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius 4.0-4.5 millimeters squared per second 5.5 -6.7 millimeters squared per second 7.0-8.2 millimeters squared per second
Viscosity Index Minimum 120 Minimum 120 Minimum 120
Flash Point Minimum 200 degrees Celsius Minimum 200 degrees Celsius Minimum 200 degrees Celsius
Pour Point Maximum -15 degrees Celsius Maximum -12 degrees Celsius Maximum -10 degree Celsius
Sulfur content Maximum 10 ppm Maximum 10 ppm Maximum 10 ppm

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 asia_products@spglobal.com with a copy to pricegroup@spglobal.com .

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.