ICE Announces First LNG Cleared Swap on Japan Korea Marker

Intercontinental Exchange, a leading operator of global regulated futures exchanges, clearing houses and over-the-counter markets, announced that ICE Clear Europe cleared its first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Cleared Swap on the Platts Japan Korea Marker (JKM).

The first cleared JKM LNG transaction of 20 lots represented 200,000 Million British Thermal Units and was submitted to ICE Clear Europe on September 7, 2012. Tullett Prebon Europe Limited was the broker to the transaction. Two oil and gas majors were the counterparties to the trade. ICE Clear Europe introduced the JKM LNG cleared swap on September 4, 2012.

“We are delighted to have brokered the first cleared JKM swap at ICE Clear Europe. It is the desired outcome and follows two years developing the cleared LNG swap market with industry participants. The introduction of cleared JKM LNG swaps at ICE Clear Europe has boosted liquidity and we look forward to further promoting the benefits of central counterparty clearing to this market. Tullett Prebon LNG has brokered numerous short- and medium-term cargoes and re-gasification capacity since the desk was established late 2007 and the financial brokerage business is a natural extension of its presence in the physical LNG market,” said Melissa Lindsay, Global Head of LNG, Tullett Prebon Europe Limited.

“ICE is pleased that Tullett Prebon has brokered the first cleared JKM LNG swap at ICE Clear Europe. The introduction of the ICE Japan Korea Marker LNG swap has further enhanced ICE’s broad range of OTC energy products. With over 96% of ICE’s OTC energy volume now cleared, ICE has demonstrated that standardisation and liquidity are continuing to support the increased use of clearing,” said David Peniket, President & COO, ICE Futures Europe.

ICE offers over 730 cleared OTC energy contracts including more than 40 Asia specific energy swaps. ICE Clear Europe enables the efficient development of new products to support the risk management needs of member firms and customers in ICE’s global energy futures and OTC markets. In 2002, ICE pioneered the concept of cleared OTC energy contracts, which provide participants with access to centralised clearing and settlement arrangements while reducing bilateral credit risk and capital required for each OTC trade.

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LNG World News Staff, September 11, 2012; Image: KOGAS