Platts to close Americas oil and petchems at 2:30 pm ET on December 31

Following industry consultation, Platts has decided to assess the Americas oil and petrochemical assessment markets up to 2:30 pm Eastern Time on Thursday, December 31, 2009.

Platts had earlier announced a 1:30 pm ET close for December 31, but after a survey of industry players, Platts has decided to close at 2:30 pm ET.

The NYMEX will close regular trading of its energy futures contracts at 2:30 pm ET on Thursday, December 31.

As previously announced, Platts will close its Americas oil and petrochemical assessment processes at 1:30 pm ET on Thursday, December 24, 2009.

On December 24, the NYMEX will close regular trading of its energy futures contracts at 1:30 pm ET.

Platts will not publish any oil or petrochemicals assessments globally on Friday, December 25 and Friday, January 1, 2010.

Please contact Suzanne Evans, suzanne_evans@platts.com, with a cc to pricegroup@platts.com for questions or comments.