Refined Products

December 11, 2024

Platts launches weekly Asia Base Oils assessments

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

The assessments reflect spot cargoes for:

Group I

Symbol Grade Basis Quantity Laycan Location
PLBAA00 SN150 CFR Northeast Asia 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan
PLBAB00 SN500 CFR Northeast Asia 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan
PLBAC00 Bright Stock CFR Northeast Asia 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan
PLBAD00 SN150 CFR India 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Mumbai
PLBAE00 SN500 CFR India 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Mumbai
PLBAF00 Bright Stock CFR India 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Mumbai
PLBAG00 SN150 CFR UAE 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Sharjah
PLBAH00 SN500 CFR UAE 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Sharjah

Group II

Symbol Grade Basis Quantity Laycan Location
PLBAI00 150N FOB Asia 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea
PLBAJ00 500N FOB Asia 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea
PLBAK00 150N CFR Northeast Asia 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan
PLBAL00 500N CFR Northeast Asia 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan
PLBAM00 150N CFR India 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Mumbai
PLBAN00 500N CFR India 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Mumbai

Group III - Approved

Symbol Grade Basis Quantity Laycan Location
PLBAO00 4CST FOB South Korea 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Ulsan
PLBAP00 6CST FOB South Korea 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Ulsan
PLBAQ00 8CST FOB South Korea 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Ulsan
PLBAR00 4CST CFR India 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Mumbai
PLBAS00 6CST CFR India 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Mumbai
PLBAT00 8CST CFR India 1,000 mt in bulk 15-45 days forward Mumbai
PLBAU00 4CST ex-tank UAE Minimum 10 mt 1-10 days forward Sharjah
PLBAV00 6CST ex-tank UAE Minimum 10 mt 1-10 days forward Sharjah
PLBAW00 8CST ex-tank UAE Minimum 10 mt 1-10 days forward Sharjah

The new assessments are published in $/mt and 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 reflect the values of physical base oils cargoes at the close of 4:30 pm Singapore time on Wednesday and 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 degrees Celsius Minimum 270 degrees Celsius
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 degrees Celsius
Pour Point Maximum -12 degrees Celsius Maximum -12 degrees 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 degrees 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.

These assessments can be found in the Oilgram Price Report, Asia-Pacific/Arab Gulf Marketscan, and on Platts Global and Refined Product alert pages 1146 and 2529.

Please send any questions, comments, or feedback to asia_products@spglobal.com with a copy to pricegroup@spglobal.com .

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