Methane Leaks
Oil & gas · 1 Jun 2023

Methane plume detected in Iraq

On 1 Jun 2023, the PRISMA - ASI satellite saw methane escaping at about 1,424 kg/h from an oil & gas site.

Satellite map of methane plume locations in Iraq
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1,424 kg/h
± 682 kg/h (UNEP uncertainty)

If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 34.2 tonnes of methane.

Detected
1 Jun 2023 · 07:43 UTC
Satellite
PRISMA - ASI
Sector
Oil & gas
Wind
Plume drifting towards the SE · 7.9 m/s
Coordinates
30.34415, 47.3281
Open in Google Maps (satellite)
UNEP plume ID
8ff30dc4-c2ee-4451-8111-a94c8e94488e

Likely operator

Basra Oil Company Plausible

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

Emitting site

IRQ_S_026 · O&G facility (generic)
1 plumes detected at this site

Status

UNEP notified the government about this plume.

Nobody has reported contacting the operator through Methane Leaks yet.

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Cite as: UNEP IMEO MARS plume 8ff30dc4-c2ee-4451-8111-a94c8e94488e, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/8ff30dc4-c2ee-4451-8111-a94c8e94488e), accessed 5 Oct 2026.