LCH.Clearnet has struck a deal to clear energy trades for the New York Mercantile Exchange, the US commodities market, weeks after striking a deal with ICE Futures to allow the London clearer to offer competing energy clearing services.

Nymex intends to launch a range of energy products by the middle of this year, including WTI, Brent and Gasoil natural gas and electricity contracts, which will be cleared through LCH.Clearnet, subject to regulatory approval.