Methane plume detected in China
On 20 Feb 2023, the EMIT - NASA satellite saw methane escaping at about 1,352 kg/h from an oil & gas site.
Evidence packet
If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 32.4 tonnes of methane.
- Detected
- 20 Feb 2023 · 05:45 UTC
- Satellite
- EMIT - NASA
- Sector
- Oil & gas
- Wind
- Plume drifting towards the SE · 2.4 m/s
- Coordinates
- 37.30707, 94.3043
Open in Google Maps (satellite) - UNEP plume ID
53e34451-34ce-4b36-bf10-55a2a75e0e09
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 53e34451-34ce-4b36-bf10-55a2a75e0e09, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/53e34451-34ce-4b36-bf10-55a2a75e0e09), accessed 5 Oct 2026.