Methane plume detected in China
On 2 Jan 2026, the PRISMA - ASI satellite saw methane escaping at about 320 kg/h from an oil & gas site.
Evidence packet
If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 7.7 tonnes of methane.
- Detected
- 2 Jan 2026 · 04:38 UTC
- Satellite
- PRISMA - ASI
- Sector
- Oil & gas
- Wind
- Plume drifting towards the SW · 0.8 m/s
- Coordinates
- 37.35197, 94.13287
Open in Google Maps (satellite) - UNEP plume ID
ba0d56a4-6540-4fa3-93b3-f2541ba72d44
Likely operator
PetroChina Plausible
PetroChina's Qinghai Oilfield operates the Qaidam basin.
Emitting site
CHN_S_737 · Well pad
1 plumes detected at this site
Status
UNEP has not recorded a notification for this plume.
Nobody has reported contacting the operator through Methane Leaks yet.
Push for action
Find the operator's contact details and send a ready-made, evidence-based email in about two minutes.
Write to the operator →Authorities you can notify
Is this attribution wrong?
If you operate this site, or know who does, tell us. Operators get a right of reply, and corrections are reviewed within a week.
Get alerts for CHN_S_737
We'll email you when UNEP publishes new plumes here. No account needed. Unsubscribe in one click.
We only use your email to send these alerts.
Cite as: UNEP IMEO MARS plume ba0d56a4-6540-4fa3-93b3-f2541ba72d44, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/ba0d56a4-6540-4fa3-93b3-f2541ba72d44), accessed 5 Oct 2026.