Canada's TSX Group has acquired an option to buy crude oil trading platform NetThruPut for up to $95 million
TSX has paid C$9.5m for an option to buy Calgary-based NTP, which is jointly owned by Enbridge and Circuit Technology, at a price between $40 million and $95 million depending on NTP's 2008 net earnings.
NTP provides an Internet-based system for customers to transact business anonymously in real-time, and currently claims a space on more 600 desktops.
Richard Nesbitt, CEO of TSX Group, says the transaction "complements both our NGX business and our strength in energy in our existing equity markets. This arrangement will allow us to further expand on our footprint in the energy space in North America."
In March, TSX's NGX energy trading platform entered into a technology and energy clearing alliance with the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE).
The investment in energy trading comes as TSX faces the threat of increased competition in equities trading on its own turf. In a buid to head off the threat, the Exchange is currently investing in a new faster trading platform, dubbed Quantum, that is scheduled for roll-out at the end of the year.