Metals

IntercontinentalExchange (ICE) reported a new single-day gas trading record on its electronic exchange for over-the-counter (OTC) energy and metals products. On Tuesday, a total of 142 Bcf of gas changed hands on ICE. Physical gas trades contributed over 30 Bcf to the total. So far, ICE has averaged 80 Bcf/d in April, which is more than four times the average daily volume in the first quarter 2001. About 300 traders have traded physical and financial gas on the exchange, completing about 35,000 transactions in 2001, ICE said, adding that it has become a “dominant force in electronic trading for OTC commodity products with current market share of North American natural gas and derivatives approximating 14%.” The exchange was founded in March 2000 by leading U.S. and European financial institutions and energy and natural resource firms. Based in Atlanta, the exchange’s partners include, American Electric Power, Aquila Energy, BP, Deutsche Bank AG, Duke Energy, El Paso Energy, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Reliant Energy, Royal Dutch/Shell Group, SG Investment Banking, Mirant (formerly Southern Energy), Totalfina Elf, and Continental Power Exchange.