Dated Brent goes Cif —ten key questions
Petroleum Economist asks Adi Imsirovic, former head of crude trading at Gazprom Marketing & Trading, about the major issues thrown up by Platts’ proposed change
Price reporting agency (PRA) S&P Global Platts has proposed changing its Dated Brent assessment—the leading global light-sweet crude benchmark—from a Fob to Cif Rotterdam basis from March of next year. It also intends to include the US WTI Midland grade in the basket alongside existing North Sea crudes. The move has proven relatively controversial, with the Ice exchange, venue of the majority of the financial Brent trading, sending Platts a letter outlining concerns that subsequently leaked. Rival PRAs have queued up to advertise their wares as alternatives should the market choose to reject Platts’ proposal and the PRA refuse to budge. “The move of both Dated and BFOET assessments
Also in this section
14 January 2026
Chavez’s socialist reforms boosted state control but pushed knowledge and capital out of the sector, opening the way for the US shale revolution
14 January 2026
Leading economies in the region are using oil and gas revenues to fund mineral strategies and power hyperscale computing
14 January 2026
The South American country offers stable, transparent and high-potential opportunities and is now ready for fresh exploration and partnership
13 January 2026
Across Europe, countries have grappled with balancing ambitious energy transition plans with realities about security of supply






