IntercontinentalExchange (NYSE: ICE), a leading operator of global regulated futures exchanges, clearing houses and over-the-counter (OTC) markets, announced today that the benchmark ICE Brent Crude futures contract reached a new record open interest level of 1,001,286 contracts on 26 January, 2012.
Introduced in 1988, the ICE Brent Crude futures contract is the leading benchmark for light sweet crude oil, including grades in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
ICE Futures Europe also introduced ICE Brent NX (New Expiry) Crude Futures and Options contracts in December, 2011. The first ICE Brent NX contract month available for trading is December 2012, with new contract months listed out to December 2019. The current ICE Brent Futures and Options contracts will continue to trade as normal until the completion of the transition to ICE Brent NX.
ICE Futures Europe also lists the middle distillate benchmark, Gasoil futures and the U.S. North American benchmark, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures contract.
