According to Iranian media reports, Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad announced on the 23rd that a new gas field has been discovered in southern Fars Province, with natural gas reserves exceeding 75 trillion cubic feet (about 212.4 billions cubic meters), and recoverable reserves of about 57 trillion cubic feet (about 161.4 billions cubic meters). (Xinhua News Agency)

Asian currencies consolidate, with concerns over US debt and expectations of fiscal consolidation likely to support local currencies

Spot platinum just broke through the $1860.00/oz level, last quoted at $1859.50/oz, down 1.08% intraday; Nymex main platinum futures last quoted at $1873.3/oz, down 1.18% intraday.

Spot gold has just broken through the $4,610.00/ounce mark, currently quoted at $4,609.99/ounce, up 0.12% on the day; the main COMEX gold futures contract is currently quoted at $4,666.60/ounce, down 0.30% on the day.

The main Nymex crude oil futures contract has just surpassed the $85.00 per barrel mark, last trading at $84.99 per barrel, down 2.38% on the day.