Platts Buys Energy Market Analytics Firm

In the US, energy and metals information firm Platts has agreed to acquire BENTEK Energy, a privately held market analytics company. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Platts, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, has 17 offices worldwide and covers the markets for oil, natural gas, electricity, emissions, nuclear power, coal, petrochemical, shipping and metals. The firm offers real-time news, pricing, analytical services and conferences.

Founded in 1985, BENTEK provides a portfolio of data, information and analytics products in the natural gas and liquids sector. In addition to its subscription-based products, BENTEK offers supporting consultancy services, and hosts Benposium, a major conference on natural gas market trends and dynamics.

Platts says the acquisition will deepen its analytical capabilities globally, and enhance its coverage of the North American and European gas and related power markets.

Larry Neal, President of Platts, says that combining BENTEK's analytical expertise with his firm's products will provide customers a comprehensive view of the North American natural gas market.

BENTEK's President and CEO Porter Bennett (pictured) says Platts' current market position provides the opportunity to accelerate the firm's plans for expanding into new commodities and international markets. He comments: 'As part of Platts, we are better positioned to capitalize on the increasing internationalization and interdependence of the natural gas and liquids markets and address the growing global demand for fundamental market data and analysis'.

The acquisition is expected to be completed in early 2011.

Web sites: www.platts.com , www.mcgraw-hill.com and www.bentekenergy.com .