Methane plume detected in China
On 2 Jan 2026, the PRISMA - ASI satellite saw methane escaping at about 997 kg/h from an oil & gas site.
Evidence packet
If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 23.9 tonnes of methane.
- Detected
- 2 Jan 2026 · 04:38 UTC
- Satellite
- PRISMA - ASI
- Sector
- Oil & gas
- Wind
- Plume drifting towards the SW · 0.5 m/s
- Coordinates
- 37.30707, 94.3043
Open in Google Maps (satellite) - UNEP plume ID
4b4af778-8df7-4302-8d98-d1ebd98c6889
Likely operator
PetroChina Plausible
PetroChina's Qinghai Oilfield operates the Qaidam basin.
Emitting site
CHN_S_052 · O&G facility (generic)
2 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 4b4af778-8df7-4302-8d98-d1ebd98c6889, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/4b4af778-8df7-4302-8d98-d1ebd98c6889), accessed 5 Oct 2026.