* Qatargas outages fan fears of competition with Asia
* Winter 2011/12 gas pares previous gains
LONDON, Aug 31 (Reuters) - UK gas for immediate delivery rose on Wednesday as cooling temperatures spurred central heating demand above the seasonal average, while the rest of the prompt fell back following heavy gains in the previous session.
UK NBP within-day gas increased 0.85 pence to 61.10 pence-per-therm as supply failed to keep pace with rising demand, leaving the system 15 million cubic meters/day (mcm/day) short of gas.
Expectations of lower demand later in the week weighed on prices further out, with Thursday gas trading a fraction lower at 60.50 pence and gas for next week down half a penny at 57 pence.
Maximum forecast temperatures are expected to increase by up to 6 degrees Celsius between now and Friday, trimming demand for gas at the UK hub amid functioning supplies from Norway.
Sparse liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies are darkening outlooks for the winter season, running from October to April, amid worries that UK markets could see deliveries redirected to Asia.
Qatar's planned shutdown of several liquefaction trains this autumn fanned fears of supply shortages and heightened the prospect of competing for the remaining cargoes with Asia.
