Methane leaks in Kazakhstan
Satellites have detected 942 methane plumes at 135 sites in Kazakhstan since 2021, 374 of them in the 12 months to 1 Sep 2026.
374
Plumes, last 12 months
135
Sites
496,000 kg/h
Largest plume, last 12 months
21 / 89
Notified sites where the operator responded to UNEP
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Biggest plumes in the last 12 months
| Detected | Site | Emission rate | Likely operator | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Jul 2026Oil & gas | — | 496,000 kg/h | Not yet attributed | View |
| 30 Jul 2026Oil & gas | KAZ_S_185 | 287,935 kg/h | Not yet attributed | View |
| 20 Aug 2026Oil & gas | KAZ_S_189 | 251,307 kg/h | Not yet attributed | View |
| 28 Oct 2025Oil & gas | KAZ_S_137 | 204,000 kg/h | Not yet attributed | View |
| 30 Jul 2026Oil & gas | KAZ_S_185 | 162,894 kg/h | Not yet attributed | View |
| 7 Apr 2026Oil & gas | — | 137,000 kg/h | Not yet attributed | View |
| 8 Sep 2025Oil & gas | KAZ_S_130 | 137,000 kg/h | Not yet attributed | View |
| 20 Aug 2026Oil & gas | KAZ_S_189 | 114,468 kg/h | Not yet attributed | View |
| 1 Apr 2026Coal | — | 103,000 kg/h | Not yet attributed | View |
| 20 Aug 2026Oil & gas | — | 83,000 kg/h | Not yet attributed | View |
Who operates these sites
| Qarmet | 126 plumes |
| Tengizchevroil | 1 plumes |
Plumes at sites we attribute to each company. Most attributions here rely on who operates a field or region, not on site-level confirmation; see each site for the evidence. What do confidence levels mean?
Plumes by sector, last 12 months
Sites that leak most often
| Site | Plumes, last 12 months | Largest detected rate | Last seen | Likely operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KAZ_S_009O&G facility (generic) · Frequent | 3054 total | 8,057 kg/h | 18 Aug 2026 | Not yet attributed |
| KAZ_S_170Well head · Frequent | 1414 total | 6,960 kg/h | 24 Aug 2026 | Not yet attributed |
| KAZ_S_141Gas disposal facility | 1212 total | 7,096 kg/h | 24 Aug 2026 | Not yet attributed |
| KAZ_S_016Gas disposal facility · Persistent | 1114 total | 4,171 kg/h | 9 Aug 2026 | Not yet attributed |
| KAZ_S_082Venting shaft · Persistent | 812 total | 1,642 kg/h | 15 Aug 2026 | Qarmet Plausible |
| KAZ_S_102O&G facility (generic) | 812 total | 5,887 kg/h | 6 Jun 2026 | Not yet attributed |
| KAZ_S_110Venting shaft · Persistent | 811 total | 1,883 kg/h | 11 Aug 2026 | Qarmet Plausible |
| KAZ_S_129Transmission Pipelines | 88 total | 55,000 kg/h | 8 Sep 2025 | Not yet attributed |
| KAZ_S_189Pipeline valve | 66 total | 251,307 kg/h | 20 Aug 2026 | Not yet attributed |
| KAZ_S_152Drainage station · Frequent | 66 total | 3,222 kg/h | 15 Aug 2026 | Qarmet Plausible |
| KAZ_S_022Transmission Compressor Station | 66 total | 23,000 kg/h | 18 Oct 2025 | Not yet attributed |
| KAZ_S_130Transmission Pipelines | 66 total | 137,000 kg/h | 8 Sep 2025 | Not yet attributed |
| KAZ_S_008Gas disposal facility · Frequent | 551 total | 8,953 kg/h | 10 Jul 2026 | Not yet attributed |
| KAZ_S_180Pipeline valve | 55 total | — | 30 Jul 2026 | Not yet attributed |
| KAZ_S_137O&G source (generic) | 55 total | 204,000 kg/h | 28 Oct 2025 | Not yet attributed |
| KAZ_S_003Transmission Compressor Station · Persistent | 423 total | 20,379 kg/h | 31 May 2026 | Not yet attributed |
| KAZ_S_096O&G facility (generic) · Frequent | 414 total | 2,599 kg/h | 10 Jun 2026 | Not yet attributed |
| KAZ_S_111Drainage station · Frequent | 47 total | 1,479 kg/h | 2 Aug 2026 | Qarmet Plausible |
| KAZ_S_056Venting shaft · Persistent | 45 total | 1,548 kg/h | 15 Aug 2026 | Qarmet Plausible |
| KAZ_S_193O&G source (generic) · Persistent | 45 total | 951 kg/h | 28 Jul 2026 | Not yet attributed |
| KAZ_S_158Well head · Persistent | 44 total | 846 kg/h | 11 Jul 2026 | Not yet attributed |
| KAZ_S_164O&G source (generic) · Frequent | 44 total | 4,313 kg/h | 14 Jun 2026 | Not yet attributed |
| KAZ_S_136Transmission Pipelines · Frequent | 44 total | 1,243 kg/h | 21 May 2026 | Not yet attributed |
| KAZ_S_043Venting shaft · Frequent | 313 total | 2,443 kg/h | 3 Jun 2026 | Qarmet Plausible |
| KAZ_S_127O&G facility (generic) · Frequent | 39 total | 1,297 kg/h | 17 Aug 2026 | Not yet attributed |
Authorities you can notify
Of 89 sites UNEP notified in Kazakhstan, operators responded on 21.
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