Methane Leaks
Oil & gas · 13 Sep 2023

Methane plume detected in Iraq

On 13 Sep 2023, the PRISMA - ASI satellite saw methane escaping at about 1,138 kg/h from an oil & gas site.

Satellite map of methane plume locations in Iraq
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1,138 kg/h
± 344 kg/h (UNEP uncertainty)

If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 27.3 tonnes of methane.

Detected
13 Sep 2023 · 07:37 UTC
Satellite
PRISMA - ASI
Sector
Oil & gas
Wind
Plume drifting towards the S · 1.8 m/s
Coordinates
30.35767, 47.33803
Open in Google Maps (satellite)
UNEP plume ID
945a46fb-428e-4b3f-83a0-294a61b86f61

Likely operator

Basra Oil Company Plausible

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

Emitting site

IRQ_S_029 · Pit
3 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 945a46fb-428e-4b3f-83a0-294a61b86f61, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/945a46fb-428e-4b3f-83a0-294a61b86f61), accessed 6 Oct 2026.