Methane plume detected in Algeria
On 17 Jan 2026, the Sentinel-5P/TROPOMI - ESA satellite saw methane escaping at about 36,000 kg/h from an oil & gas site.
Evidence packet
If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 864 tonnes of methane.
- Detected
- 17 Jan 2026 · 12:14 UTC
- Satellite
- Sentinel-5P/TROPOMI - ESA
- Sector
- Oil & gas
- Wind
- Plume drifting towards the NE · 4.1 m/s
- Coordinates
- 31.91, 6.21
Open in Google Maps (satellite) - UNEP plume ID
c87ef833-804a-4b44-a84c-95b23fe0a7a8
Likely operator
Sonatrach Plausible
State company Sonatrach operates or co-operates nearly all Algerian fields and pipelines.
Status
UNEP has not recorded a notification for this plume.
Nobody has reported contacting the operator through Methane Leaks yet.
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Cite as: UNEP IMEO MARS plume c87ef833-804a-4b44-a84c-95b23fe0a7a8, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/c87ef833-804a-4b44-a84c-95b23fe0a7a8), accessed 4 Oct 2026.