Methane Leaks
Oil & gas · 29 May 2026

Methane plume detected in Iraq

On 29 May 2026, the EnMAP - DLR satellite saw methane escaping at about 229 kg/h from an oil & gas site.

Satellite map of methane plume locations in Iraq
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229 kg/h
± 323 kg/h (UNEP uncertainty)

If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 5.5 tonnes of methane.

Detected
29 May 2026 · 08:01 UTC
Satellite
EnMAP - DLR
Sector
Oil & gas
Wind
Plume drifting towards the E · 8.3 m/s
Coordinates
30.20677, 47.38821
Open in Google Maps (satellite)
UNEP plume ID
03f69a4e-4ef8-42ab-9412-95a8950c7e78

Likely operator

Basra Oil Company Plausible

State-owned Basra Oil Company oversees the southern fields, several run with international contractors.

Emitting site

IRQ_S_021 · Flare
3 plumes detected at this site

Status

UNEP has not recorded a notification for this plume.

Nobody has reported contacting the operator through Methane Leaks yet.

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Cite as: UNEP IMEO MARS plume 03f69a4e-4ef8-42ab-9412-95a8950c7e78, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/03f69a4e-4ef8-42ab-9412-95a8950c7e78), accessed 5 Oct 2026.