UK GAS-Prompt prices slip as imports rise to meet high demand

* Gas market oversupplied by 19.1 mcm/day

* Gas demand around 40 pct higher than seasonal norm

LONDON, April 27 (Reuters) - British prompt gas prices fell on Wednesday morning as gas imports from continental Europe rose, offsetting unseasonably high demand for gas due to cool weather.

Gas for instant delivery fell by 0.55 pence per therm to 34.45 p/therm by 0933 GMT, while the Day-ahead contract fell by 0.50 pence to 34.50 p/therm.

With (Other OTC: WWTH - news) gas supply flows at about 294.8 million cubic metres (mcm) and demand expected to be about 275.7 mcm, Britain's gas system was 19.1 mcm oversupplied, National Grid (LSE: NG.L - news) data showed.

Wednesday's demand was around 40 percent above the seasonal norm of 197 mcm/day, pushed up by cooler temperatures than normal for this time of year.

Britain's Met Office said some parts of the country could experience freezing temperatures and snow on Wednesday.

Traders said imports of gas from Norway and the Netherlands had risen to meet the high demand but had led to the system becoming oversupplied.

Imports of gas through the Langeled pipeline, Britain's main gas route with Norway, were around 35 mcm/day on Wednesday, up from levels below 30 mcm on Tuesday, National Grid data showed.

Imports from the Netherlands through the BBL pipeline were around 20 mcm on Wednesday, up from 10 mcm the previous day.

Further along the curve, traders said stronger oil prices had buoyed gas prices.

The British Winter 2016 gas contract rose 0.05 p to 38.00 p/therm.

Brent crude prices rose 2 percent on Wednesday on a falling dollar and evidence of declining U.S (Other OTC: UBGXF - news) . supply.

In the Dutch gas market, day-ahead prices at the TTF hub rose 0.92 euros to 14.52 euros per megawatt-hour.

In the European carbon market, front-year allowances climbed 0.38 euros to 7.00 euros a tonne. (Reporting by Susanna Twidale; editing by Susan Thomas)