The Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) announced on 12 October that it “plans to launch IFAD [Ice Future Abu Dhabi] and trading in Murban futures contracts late in the first quarter of 2021.” IFAD and the Murban futures are a central plank of Abu Dhabi state energy giant Adnoc’s efforts to “capture more value from every barrel we produce.”

When Adnoc unveiled its IFAD plans in November 2019, it was aiming for 1H 2020 launch, with the new Murban futures beginning to trade shortly afterwards (MEES, 15 November 2019). This timeframe was derailed by the coronavirus pandemic. (CONTINUED - 392 WORDS)