** The London and Toronto-listed Ithaca Energy jumps as much as 14 pct
** North Sea-focused oil and gas operator said it hasincreased its oil hedging protection since the start of the yearin order to mitigate against the impact of further Brent priceweakness
** Ithaca Energy says 4,000 bopd has been hedged at anaverage price of $69/bbl from July 2016 to June 2017
** Ithaca shares last up 13.3 pct (RM: aastha.agnihotri.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)