UK's Centrica to test gas withdrawals from storage site after Nov 1

Oct (HKSE: 3366-OL.HK - news) 11 (Reuters) - British utility Centrica (Frankfurt: A0DK6K - news) said on Tuesday it would begin a test period after Nov. 1 of restarting flows from the recently shut Rough natural gas storage facility, as it seeks to resume gas withdrawal operations.

The site was shut in June for operator Centrica to carry out tests after identifying potential issues with well integrity. Restrictions to site operations began in March last year.

While the site's working capacity will be capped until March or April next year as investigative work continues, Centrica (Amsterdam: CC8.AS - news) said in August it would reopen at least four wells to allow some withdrawals by Nov. 1.

The ability to inject gas will remain offline.

In the latest guidance, Centrica said so-called re-commissioning operations after Nov. 1 would mean flowing gas at restricted rates to ensure Britain's largest storage site returns reliably to service.

Centrica said the period of restricted flows would last for a period of roughly 72 hours.

According to Centrica, during this period, physical withdrawal capability will be reduced by an estimated:

*27mcm in the first 24 hours;

*25mcm in the second 24 hours; and

*14mcm in the last 24 hour period. (Reporting by Oleg Vukmanovic; Editing by Mark Potter)