Methane Leaks
Oil & gas · 16 May 2026

Methane plume detected in Algeria

On 16 May 2026, the Sentinel-2 - ESA satellite saw methane escaping at about 5,310 kg/h from an oil & gas site.

Satellite map of methane plume locations in Algeria
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5,310 kg/h
± 2,162 kg/h (UNEP uncertainty)

If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 127 tonnes of methane.

Detected
16 May 2026 · 10:00 UTC
Satellite
Sentinel-2 - ESA
Sector
Oil & gas
Wind
Plume drifting towards the E · 5.8 m/s
Coordinates
28.07496, 9.80745
Open in Google Maps (satellite)
UNEP plume ID
9540a7ee-d3ad-4df0-bc3c-6e12aa333ba2

Likely operator

Sonatrach Plausible

State company Sonatrach operates or co-operates nearly all Algerian fields and pipelines.

Emitting site

DZA_S_043 · Gas disposal facility
48 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 9540a7ee-d3ad-4df0-bc3c-6e12aa333ba2, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/9540a7ee-d3ad-4df0-bc3c-6e12aa333ba2), accessed 6 Oct 2026.