Methane Leaks
Oil & gas · 9 Feb 2025

Methane plume detected in Iraq

On 9 Feb 2025, the EnMAP - DLR satellite saw methane escaping at about 763 kg/h from an oil & gas site.

Satellite map of methane plume locations in Iraq
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763 kg/h
± 366 kg/h (UNEP uncertainty)

If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 18.3 tonnes of methane.

Detected
9 Feb 2025 · 08:12 UTC
Satellite
EnMAP - DLR
Sector
Oil & gas
Wind
Plume drifting towards the SE · 5.1 m/s
Coordinates
30.26553, 47.71692
Open in Google Maps (satellite)
UNEP plume ID
a5a46988-04f8-48a8-9a7a-870eaa813e89

Likely operator

Basra Oil Company Plausible

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

Emitting site

IRQ_S_046 · Flare
5 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 a5a46988-04f8-48a8-9a7a-870eaa813e89, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/a5a46988-04f8-48a8-9a7a-870eaa813e89), accessed 5 Oct 2026.