Methane Leaks
Oil & gas · 17 Feb 2024

Methane plume detected in Iraq

On 17 Feb 2024, the EMIT - NASA satellite saw methane escaping at about 4,811 kg/h from an oil & gas site.

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

4,811 kg/h
± 2,458 kg/h (UNEP uncertainty)

If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 115 tonnes of methane.

Detected
17 Feb 2024 · 10:08 UTC
Satellite
EMIT - NASA
Sector
Oil & gas
Wind
Plume drifting towards the SE · 7.1 m/s
Coordinates
30.28123, 47.34998
Open in Google Maps (satellite)
UNEP plume ID
65b9e4ec-de04-44e0-8042-70d041696395

Likely operator

Basra Oil Company Plausible

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

Emitting site

IRQ_S_037 · Flare
3 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 65b9e4ec-de04-44e0-8042-70d041696395, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/65b9e4ec-de04-44e0-8042-70d041696395), accessed 5 Oct 2026.