UK GAS-Prices edge up on colder weather outlook, sparse LNG supply

LONDON, March 8 (Reuters) - British wholesale gas prices edged higher on Friday morning on expectations of colder weather next week and reduced liquefied natural gas supply.

* Within-day gas price inched up by 0.10 pence to 43.00 pence per therm at 0841 GMT, while day-ahead gas was 0.30 pence higher at 43.00 p/therm.

* Gas for weekend delivery was up by 1.00 pence at 43.00 p/therm.

* The system is balanced with demand forecast at around 262 million cubic metres (mcm) and supply at 262 mcm/day, National Grid data shows.

* However, colder weather forecast for next week, coupled with relatively sparse liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply, was driving the increases, traders said.

* In northwest Europe, average temperatures will fall to the seasonal average by next Monday from around 3 degrees Celsius above normal, analysts at Energy Aspects said.

* In Central Europe, temperatures will remain milder for longer, hovering between 4-8C above the norm until March 10, before gradually falling to to the seasonal average by Friday next week.

* "Our balance forecasts indicate tighter conditions both in the UK and on the Continent next week which should provide support to gas prices next week. The main drivers are colder weather and outlook for lower LNG sendout," Refinitiv analysts said in a weekly note.

* Furher along the curve, the Summer '19 price was 0.55 pence higher at 43.20 p/therm.

* In the Dutch gas market, the day-ahead price TTF hub was 0.13 euro higher at 17.05 euros per megawatt hour.

* The benchmark Dec-19 EU carbon contract inched up by 0.04 euro to 23.28 euros a tonne. (Reporting by Nina Chestney)