Methane Leaks
Oil & gas · 23 Jul 2026

Methane plume detected in Iraq

On 23 Jul 2026, the PRISMA - ASI satellite saw methane escaping at about 464 kg/h from an oil & gas site.

Satellite map of methane plume locations in Iraq
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464 kg/h
± 333 kg/h (UNEP uncertainty)

If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 11.1 tonnes of methane.

Detected
23 Jul 2026 · 07:37 UTC
Satellite
PRISMA - ASI
Sector
Oil & gas
Wind
Plume drifting towards the SE · 7.1 m/s
Coordinates
30.27769, 47.36447
Open in Google Maps (satellite)
UNEP plume ID
35aa2f41-3e0f-45bf-8cc8-c2b9045c1e02

Likely operator

Basra Oil Company Plausible

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

Emitting site

IRQ_S_035 · Flare
10 plumes detected at this site

Status

UNEP notified the government about this plume.

Nobody has reported contacting the operator through Methane Leaks yet.

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Cite as: UNEP IMEO MARS plume 35aa2f41-3e0f-45bf-8cc8-c2b9045c1e02, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/35aa2f41-3e0f-45bf-8cc8-c2b9045c1e02), accessed 5 Oct 2026.