IPE is the leading energy futures exchange in Europe. The IPE provides a highly regulated marketplace whereby around $4 billion daily in underlying value is traded. IPE Brent Crude, Gas Oil and Natural Gas futures contracts can be traded electronically on the ICE platform, known as the Interchange®, with the help of the trading system RTD Realtime Trading Desktop.

With the RTD Realtime Trading Desktop, RTS is able to offer futures and spread trading in energy contracts. The RTD Static Dartboard and the RTD Spreader allow trading in a very efficient and fast way. With RTD’s automatic Quote Machine® and excellent options trading facilities RTS will then be able to offer both, futures and options trading.

Engelbert Gemuenden, Chairman of the RTS Board, commented: "With our superior trading functionality, clients are given a great business opportunity through the market expansion of RTS. In addition RTS's huge customer base will bring mutual benefits in relation to connectivity."

IPE CEO, Richard Ward said, "A primary focus for the IPE during 2004 is promoting the expansion of our electronic energy markets and, in turn, extending the IPE’s reach to non-traditional participants. We look forward to working with RTS as we jointly pursue our growth objectives."

Separately, The International Petroleum Exchange (IPE), Europe's leading energy futures and options exchange, today announced that Schneider Trading Associates (STA) Limited has successfully applied to become a Non Clearing General Participant Member of the Exchange.

In addition, RTS Realtime Systems Group (RTS) one of the leading global Independent Software Vendors, providing professional trading software for Locals, Market Makers, Proprietary Traders, Brokers and Institutionals is now able to offer business opportunities in trading energy contracts and will work with Schneider to provide an order routing facility through to the IPE's electronic markets.

Jeremy Brown, CEO of STA said, "We are delighted to be joining together with RTS and the Exchange, with the development of its electronic marketplace underway. Access to the IPE’s contracts will provide a valuable addition to the extensive portfolio of trading instruments that Schneider already offers its clients."

Engelbert Gemuenden, Chairman of the RTS Board, added, “With the availability of order routing through to trading on the IPE, STA, RTS and IPE can continue to develop a commercial and successful business connection for all three companies."

IPE CEO, Richard Ward said, "A primary focus for the IPE during 2004 is promoting the expansion of our electronic energy markets and, in turn, extending the IPE’s reach to non-traditional participants. We look forward to working with Schneider and RTS as we jointly pursue our growth objectives."