Paris-based exchange Powernext Tuesday reported that the volume of natural gas traded on the spot segment of Powernext Gas set a new record on Friday.
The volume changing hands that day was 378,400 MWh, which topped the previous high of 293,800 MWh recorded June 17, 2001.
The volume of gas traded on Powernext Gas Spot totaled 13 TWh between January and July 2011, up from a total traded volume of 5.90 TWh during the same period in 2010.
"The new daily volume record reflects the efforts of Powernext and its partners to improve the attractiveness of the gas market in France," said Powernext Sales and Communication Director Richard Katz in a statement from the exchange.
"The launch of the PEG Sud-PEG Nord Spread products in May, followed by the launch of the market coupling initiative between [French TSO] GRTgaz's two zones in July, and the increased number of market participants are concrete examples of that effort," Katz said.
In August, gas trader Econgas and utility Verbund, both of Austria, became the 40th and 41st trading members on Powernext Gas Spot, and the 35th and 36th trading members on Powernext Gas Futures.
