Methane Leaks
Oil & gas · 19 Dec 2023

Methane plume detected in Turkmenistan

On 19 Dec 2023, the Sentinel-2 - ESA satellite saw methane escaping at about 1,276 kg/h from an oil & gas site.

Satellite map of methane plume locations in Turkmenistan
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1,276 kg/h
± 391 kg/h (UNEP uncertainty)

If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 30.6 tonnes of methane.

Detected
19 Dec 2023 · 06:53 UTC
Satellite
Sentinel-2 - ESA
Sector
Oil & gas
Wind
Plume drifting towards the N · 2.1 m/s
Coordinates
39.66109, 60.21905
Open in Google Maps (satellite)
UNEP plume ID
81d1c3b4-0035-415d-bc24-2f925b859e6d

Likely operator

Turkmengaz Plausible

State concern Türkmengaz operates the main gas fields (Dowletabat, Galkynyş, Shatlyk) and the transmission system.

Emitting site

TKM_S_034 · Gas disposal facility
23 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 81d1c3b4-0035-415d-bc24-2f925b859e6d, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/81d1c3b4-0035-415d-bc24-2f925b859e6d), accessed 4 Oct 2026.