UPDATE 1-Sable Island gas production seen back Fri-Spectra

(Adds details on expected return, recasts)

NEW YORK Dec 4 (Reuters) - Spectra Energy (SE.N) units Maritimes U.S. and Maritimes Canada said in website notices Friday that natural gas production from the Sable Offshore Energy Project off the coast of Nova Scotia was expected to return to near-normal levels later Friday.

Notices late Thursday said production had been reduced.

The project, operated by Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM.N), produces between 400 million and 500 million cubic feet of natural gas and 20,000 barrels of natural gas liquids per day.

According to the company's website, the project is owned by Exxon, Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L), Imperial Oil Ltd (IMO.TO), Pengrowth Energy Trust PGF_u.TO and Mosbacher Operating Ltd.

Spectra operates the Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline system that brings offshore, onshore and LNG-sourced natural gas from the Sable Island project in Atlantic Canada to North American markets.

Its 670-mile (340 miles U.S.) pipeline system -- with capacity of 600 million cubic feet per day on the Canadian side and 800 million cubic feet per day on the U.S. side -- brings natural gas from Nova Scotia into New Brunswick, Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. It connects with Algonquin Gas Transmission's pipeline system near Beverly, Massachusetts. (Reporting by Eileen Moustakis; editing by Jim Marshall) ((eileen.moustakis@thomsonreuters.com; +1 646 223 6074; Reuters Messaging: eileen.moustakis.reuters.com@reuters.net)) ((For help: Click "Contact Us" in your desk top, click here [HELP] or call 1-800-738-8377 for Reuters Products and 1-888-463-3383 for Thomson products; For client training: training.americas@thomsonreuters.com; +1 646-223-5546))