Methane plume detected in Iraq
On 21 May 2023, the Landsat - NASA/USGS satellite saw methane escaping at about 2,217 kg/h from an oil & gas site.
Evidence packet
If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 53.2 tonnes of methane.
- Detected
- 21 May 2023 · 07:21 UTC
- Satellite
- Landsat - NASA/USGS
- Sector
- Oil & gas
- Wind
- Plume drifting towards the NW · 8.9 m/s
- Coordinates
- 30.27294, 47.74171
Open in Google Maps (satellite) - UNEP plume ID
0978b822-9ee1-410a-a086-db86ea7e2cf3
Likely operator
Basra Oil Company Plausible
State-owned Basra Oil Company oversees the southern fields, several run with international contractors.
Emitting site
IRQ_S_012 · Flare
1 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 0978b822-9ee1-410a-a086-db86ea7e2cf3, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/0978b822-9ee1-410a-a086-db86ea7e2cf3), accessed 5 Oct 2026.