The request came after Enron said it had reached a tentative agreement with its creditors.

Enron's downfall followed the uncovering of a major financial accounting scandal and in December 2001 it made what was at the time the largest bankruptcy filing ever.

The firm had been set a deadline of June 30 to submit a reorganisation plan to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but has now asked a court in New York to extend this to 11 July.

"This very short extension, if granted, will allow us to finalize an agreement we have reached in principle between the official representative of all our creditors and the court-appointed plan facilitator of the Enron North America estate," said Stephen Cooper, acting Enron chief executive.

"We believe that the extension will ultimately expedite our court proceedings, and we are hopeful that the court will approve our motion."

Trading ban

On Wednesday, Enron was barred by regulators from selling gas and electricity in the US market.

The company was given the penalty as a result of its "misbehaviour" in the 2000-2001 Californian energy crisis.

However, the ban applies only while Enron remains in Chapter 11 bankruptcy and does not disqualify the company from selling energy at below-market rates.

Also if any surviving part of the company emerges from bankruptcy and wants to re-enter the markets, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said it could reapply for permission to trade.