UPDATE 1-France has 80 days' gas in reserve-GDF CEO

*GDF CEO says over 80 days of normal gas use in reserves

*Says gas situation in France "totally under control" (Updates with quotes, background)

By Sophie Louet

PARIS, Jan 7 (Reuters) - France has enough natural gas in its reserves for over 80 days of normal consumption and faces no problems in the short term, said Gerard Mestrallet, Chief Executive of GDF Suez SA (GSZ.PA), the leading French gas supplier.

Despite the twin challenges of abnormally cold weather and reduced supplies from Russia after its dispute with Ukraine, the situation in France is "totally under control," Mestrallet said, after attending a ministerial meeting on the gas issue.

"Stocks are right now at between 60 and 70 percent" of maximum capacity, Mestrallet said, adding: "We have already consumed part of our reserves since the end of the year, but that is a normal situation that happens every year."

France has seen record-breaking demand for both gas and electricity this week after temperatures in some regions plunged below 10 degrees Celsius, with gas consumption on Tuesday 40 percent higher than the same day a year earlier.

Compared with other European countries affected by the stand-off between Russia and Ukraine, France is less dependent on gas, thanks to a nuclear power network that provides 80 percent of its electricity needs.

GDF Suez announced on Tuesday night that Russian gas deliveries to France had dropped by 70 percent. But France imports only 15 percent of its requirements from Russia, which is in dispute with Ukraine over debts and 2009 gas prices.