Methane Leaks
Oil & gas · 20 Dec 2023

Methane plume detected in Turkmenistan

On 20 Dec 2023, the Sentinel-2 - ESA satellite saw methane escaping at about 1,473 kg/h from an oil & gas site.

Satellite map of methane plume locations in Turkmenistan
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1,473 kg/h
± 527 kg/h (UNEP uncertainty)

If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 35.4 tonnes of methane.

Detected
20 Dec 2023 · 07:13 UTC
Satellite
Sentinel-2 - ESA
Sector
Oil & gas
Wind
Plume drifting towards the SW · 3.4 m/s
Coordinates
38.35936, 54.03028
Open in Google Maps (satellite)
UNEP plume ID
88bc45ba-33e4-4b18-85a8-52a2516eb0d9

Likely operator

Turkmennebit Plausible

State concern Türkmennebit operates the Balkan-province oil fields (Goturdepe, Barsa-gelmez, Nebitdag, Körpeje, Gamyşlyja, Çeleken).

Emitting site

TKM_S_168 · Gas disposal facility
2 plumes detected at this site

Status

UNEP has not recorded a notification for this plume.

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Cite as: UNEP IMEO MARS plume 88bc45ba-33e4-4b18-85a8-52a2516eb0d9, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/88bc45ba-33e4-4b18-85a8-52a2516eb0d9), accessed 5 Oct 2026.