Methane Leaks
Oil & gas · 31 Jan 2023

Methane plume detected in Algeria

On 31 Jan 2023, the EMIT - NASA satellite saw methane escaping at about 1,155 kg/h from an oil & gas site.

Satellite map of methane plume locations in Algeria
Map imagery © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap © MaxarOpen the interactive map →

1,155 kg/h
± 600 kg/h (UNEP uncertainty)

If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 27.7 tonnes of methane.

Detected
31 Jan 2023 · 11:52 UTC
Satellite
EMIT - NASA
Sector
Oil & gas
Wind
Plume drifting towards the S · 2.3 m/s
Coordinates
31.66955, 5.80911
Open in Google Maps (satellite)
UNEP plume ID
4c4cbe4d-51ce-460b-86ec-d5dd8f546d1c

Likely operator

Sonatrach Plausible

State company Sonatrach operates or co-operates nearly all Algerian fields and pipelines.

Emitting site

DZA_S_085 · Gas disposal facility
5 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 4c4cbe4d-51ce-460b-86ec-d5dd8f546d1c, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/4c4cbe4d-51ce-460b-86ec-d5dd8f546d1c), accessed 5 Oct 2026.