Methane Leaks
Oil & gas · 24 Aug 2026

Methane plume detected in Iraq

On 24 Aug 2026, the EMIT - NASA satellite saw methane escaping at about 774 kg/h from an oil & gas site.

Satellite map of methane plume locations in Iraq
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774 kg/h
± 338 kg/h (UNEP uncertainty)

If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 18.6 tonnes of methane.

Detected
24 Aug 2026 · 06:24 UTC
Satellite
EMIT - NASA
Sector
Oil & gas
Wind
Plume drifting towards the SE · 5.5 m/s
Coordinates
30.20349, 47.39664
Open in Google Maps (satellite)
UNEP plume ID
72ada42c-2f1d-4a9e-b0c4-3cc2dcf05ed1

Likely operator

Basra Oil Company Plausible

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

Emitting site

IRQ_S_080 · O&G source (generic)
7 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 72ada42c-2f1d-4a9e-b0c4-3cc2dcf05ed1, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/72ada42c-2f1d-4a9e-b0c4-3cc2dcf05ed1), accessed 5 Oct 2026.