Methane Leaks
Oil & gas · 21 Dec 2023

Methane plume detected in Iraq

On 21 Dec 2023, the PRISMA - ASI satellite saw methane escaping at about 368 kg/h from an oil & gas site.

Satellite map of methane plume locations in Iraq
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368 kg/h
± 99 kg/h (UNEP uncertainty)

If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 8.8 tonnes of methane.

Detected
21 Dec 2023 · 07:44 UTC
Satellite
PRISMA - ASI
Sector
Oil & gas
Wind
Plume drifting towards the NE · 0.9 m/s
Coordinates
30.26559, 47.71089
Open in Google Maps (satellite)
UNEP plume ID
0c4822c8-9629-455e-bdd3-050279b8d831

Likely operator

Basra Oil Company Plausible

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

Emitting site

IRQ_S_027 · O&G facility (generic)
4 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 0c4822c8-9629-455e-bdd3-050279b8d831, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/0c4822c8-9629-455e-bdd3-050279b8d831), accessed 5 Oct 2026.