Methane Leaks
Oil & gas · 4 Apr 2023

Methane plume detected in Iraq

On 4 Apr 2023, the PRISMA - ASI satellite saw methane escaping at about 25,087 kg/h from an oil & gas site.

Satellite map of methane plume locations in Iraq
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25,087 kg/h
± 10,566 kg/h (UNEP uncertainty)

If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 602 tonnes of methane.

Detected
4 Apr 2023 · 07:43 UTC
Satellite
PRISMA - ASI
Sector
Oil & gas
Wind
Plume drifting towards the SE · 6.8 m/s
Coordinates
30.42163, 47.60839
Open in Google Maps (satellite)
UNEP plume ID
678d95d0-d5a1-445c-9ffc-5e04e153633d

Likely operator

Basra Oil Company Plausible

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

Emitting site

IRQ_S_049
1 plumes detected at this site

Status

UNEP notified the government about this plume.

Nobody has reported contacting the operator through Methane Leaks yet.

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Cite as: UNEP IMEO MARS plume 678d95d0-d5a1-445c-9ffc-5e04e153633d, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/678d95d0-d5a1-445c-9ffc-5e04e153633d), accessed 5 Oct 2026.