Prices edge up on gas shortfalls and higher demand

(Reuters) - British gas prices edged mostly higher early on Wednesday in response to a surge in heating demand coupled with an undersupplied transmission system and higher crude oil prices. Gas for next-day delivery rose 0.20 pence per therm to 29.70 p/therm by 0854 GMT, while the month-ahead gas contract jumped 0.28 p/therm higher at 29.30 p/therm. Britain's transmission network faced a 2.4 million cubic metre/day (mcm/day) supply shortfall as people used more gas to stay warm, with demand esti