Back to the futures for Chinese crude
The successful opening of a long-awaited yuan-denominated oil futures contract bodes well for the country’s aim to create a regional benchmark
After nearly six years of speculation, rumours, and declared intentions, the Shanghai International Energy Exchange (INE) finally launched China's first-ever oil futures contract on 26 March. Liquidity was strong on launch day, with 40,656 contracts worth around ¥17.6bn ($2.8bn) filtering through the system, according to the exchange's figures. The most active September contract settled at ¥429.9 a barrel, after fluctuating between ¥426.3/b and ¥447.1/b during the trading session. Before the INE opening, domestic and international market participants—both speculative investors and oil companies looking to mitigate risks taken in oil markets—might have been forgiven for scepticism. The exchan
Also in this section
4 December 2025
Time is running out for Lukoil and Rosneft to divest international assets that will be mostly rendered useless to them when the US sanctions deadline arrives in mid-December
3 December 2025
Aramco’s pursuit of $30b in US gas partnerships marks a strategic pivot. The US gains capital and certainty; Saudi Arabia gains access, flexibility and a new export future
2 December 2025
The interplay between OPEC+, China and the US will define oil markets throughout 2026
1 December 2025
The North African producer’s first bidding round in almost two decades is an important milestone but the recent extension suggests a degree of trepidation
