Methane plume detected in Iraq
On 24 Jul 2023, the Sentinel-2 - ESA satellite saw methane escaping at about 510 kg/h from an oil & gas site.
Evidence packet
If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 12.2 tonnes of methane.
- Detected
- 24 Jul 2023 · 07:26 UTC
- Satellite
- Sentinel-2 - ESA
- Sector
- Oil & gas
- Wind
- Plume drifting towards the E · 5.9 m/s
- Coordinates
- 30.27307, 47.7438
Open in Google Maps (satellite) - UNEP plume ID
53b3cb63-50d2-4f76-9fac-42b49adedbd7
Likely operator
Basra Oil Company Plausible
State-owned Basra Oil Company oversees the southern fields, several run with international contractors.
Emitting site
IRQ_S_009 · Flare
38 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 53b3cb63-50d2-4f76-9fac-42b49adedbd7, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/53b3cb63-50d2-4f76-9fac-42b49adedbd7), accessed 6 Oct 2026.