Chicago-based CME Group, the world's leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, has reported record volume for its global benchmark Light Sweet Crude Oil (WTI) futures and options contracts. On Friday, Jan. 28, WTI futures reached a record of approximately 1.472 million contracts, surpassing the previous record of approximately 1.424 million contracts set on April 13, 2010. WTI daily options volume also reached a record of 290,365 contracts, surpassing the prior record of 282,860 contracts set on Sept. 16, 2008.

"WTI continues to be the most liquid and most transparent crude oil benchmark in the global marketplace today," says Joe Raia, managing director, energy and metals products, CME Group. "These records are indicative of WTI's ability to properly respond to changing world events and supply and demand factors, while providing critical transparency to the world's energy market."

So far in January, average daily volume (ADV) for WTI futures is up 56% year-over-year to 891,646 contracts, while WTI options ADV increased 16% to 158,359. Combined WTI futures and options ADV grew 48 percent year-over-year to more than 1.050 million contracts during the same time frame.

CME Group Light Sweet Crude Oil (WTI) futures and options contracts are listed by and subject to the rules of Nymex.