Methane plume detected in China
On 12 Jun 2023, the EMIT - NASA satellite saw methane escaping at about 700 kg/h from an oil & gas site.
Evidence packet
If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 16.8 tonnes of methane.
- Detected
- 12 Jun 2023 · 02:24 UTC
- Satellite
- EMIT - NASA
- Sector
- Oil & gas
- Wind
- Plume drifting towards the NW · 3.6 m/s
- Coordinates
- 37.35711, 94.13474
Open in Google Maps (satellite) - UNEP plume ID
7a45b569-4245-4c79-a3a3-cac2380d2b1e
Likely operator
PetroChina Plausible
PetroChina's Qinghai Oilfield operates the Qaidam basin.
Emitting site
CHN_S_038 · Well head
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 7a45b569-4245-4c79-a3a3-cac2380d2b1e, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/7a45b569-4245-4c79-a3a3-cac2380d2b1e), accessed 5 Oct 2026.