Methane plume detected in China
On 24 Feb 2023, the EMIT - NASA satellite saw methane escaping at about 7,155 kg/h from an oil & gas site.
Evidence packet
If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 172 tonnes of methane.
- Detected
- 24 Feb 2023 · 04:11 UTC
- Satellite
- EMIT - NASA
- Sector
- Oil & gas
- Wind
- Plume drifting towards the NE · 1.5 m/s
- Coordinates
- 37.35711, 94.13474
Open in Google Maps (satellite) - UNEP plume ID
7d297535-2ebf-4698-a4e0-374b6614adaf
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.
Push for action
Find the operator's contact details and send a ready-made, evidence-based email in about two minutes.
Write to the operator →Authorities you can notify
Is this attribution wrong?
If you operate this site, or know who does, tell us. Operators get a right of reply, and corrections are reviewed within a week.
Get alerts for CHN_S_038
We'll email you when UNEP publishes new plumes here. No account needed. Unsubscribe in one click.
We only use your email to send these alerts.
Cite as: UNEP IMEO MARS plume 7d297535-2ebf-4698-a4e0-374b6614adaf, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/7d297535-2ebf-4698-a4e0-374b6614adaf), accessed 5 Oct 2026.