ICE Low Sulphur Gasoil Futures and Options Soar to Record Levels, Defying Russian Diesel Ban

In a display of market strength, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (ICE) has reported record-breaking performance in its Low Sulphur Gasoil futures and options markets. The global benchmark for refined oil products has demonstrated resilience following the European Union's ban on Russian diesel, with open interest reaching unprecedented levels.

As of July 1, 2024, ICE's Low Sulphur Gasoil markets hit a new high of 1.2 million open interest across futures and options, representing 120 million metric tons. This surge in activity comes alongside significant year-over-year growth, with futures and options open interest up over 40% and trading volumes increasing by 30%.

Gasoil options have shown particularly strong performance. On July 3, options open interest peaked at 234,570 contracts, while Q2 2024 saw record trading levels with 287,421 options traded. This surge in options activity contributed to broader records in ICE's oil markets, with approximately 16.2 million oil options contracts traded in Q2 2024, including 13.5 million Brent options contracts.

The physical delivery aspect of the ICE Gasoil futures contract has remained robust, with an average of over 100,000 tons entering the delivery process each month since the start of 2024. This success follows ICE's adjustment of the Gasoil contract methodology to align with EU sanctions on Russian oil exports, implemented in February 2023.

Jeff Barbuto, Global Head of Oil Markets at ICE, emphasised the contract's enduring importance, stating, "More than 18 months on from ICE's first successful delivery of Russian-free barrels of gasoil, the contract continues as the most liquid distillate benchmark. For 43 years, ICE's gasoil market has allowed customers to confidently participate in the physical delivery and trade of gasoil globally, and the record trading activity is a testament to the continued value participants find in the contract."

The Low Sulphur Gasoil contract is a key component of ICE's comprehensive global crude and refined product complex. This suite includes other major benchmarks such as Brent crude, ICE Midland WTI, ICE WTI (Cushing), ICE Dubai (Platts), ICE Murban, NY Harbor RBOB Gasoline, and Heating Oil. The complex is further supported by over 800 related oil products, providing market participants with extensive tools for risk management across various price points and consumption or production locations worldwide.

Reflecting the overall strength of ICE's oil markets, open interest in the global oil complex has surged by over 20%, reaching 14 million contracts.