Methane plume detected in China
On 4 Aug 2023, the EMIT - NASA satellite saw methane escaping at about 1,059 kg/h from an oil & gas site.
Evidence packet
If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 25.4 tonnes of methane.
- Detected
- 4 Aug 2023 · 05:21 UTC
- Satellite
- EMIT - NASA
- Sector
- Oil & gas
- Wind
- Plume drifting towards the N · 2.9 m/s
- Coordinates
- 37.30674, 94.29432
Open in Google Maps (satellite) - UNEP plume ID
6ba884fd-73f5-4a50-9746-9d9c22c1b33a
Likely operator
PetroChina Plausible
PetroChina's Qinghai Oilfield operates the Qaidam basin.
Emitting site
CHN_S_003 · Well head
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 6ba884fd-73f5-4a50-9746-9d9c22c1b33a, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/6ba884fd-73f5-4a50-9746-9d9c22c1b33a), accessed 4 Oct 2026.