Methane plume detected in Iraq
On 8 Aug 2023, the Sentinel-2 - ESA satellite saw methane escaping at about 8,222 kg/h from an oil & gas site.
Evidence packet
If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 197 tonnes of methane.
- Detected
- 8 Aug 2023 · 07:26 UTC
- Satellite
- Sentinel-2 - ESA
- Sector
- Oil & gas
- Wind
- Plume drifting towards the SE · 6.5 m/s
- Coordinates
- 30.20677, 47.38821
Open in Google Maps (satellite) - UNEP plume ID
e2cf2653-14a5-4c21-b3e1-420c0e4bab90
Likely operator
Basra Oil Company Plausible
State-owned Basra Oil Company oversees the southern fields, several run with international contractors.
Emitting site
IRQ_S_021 · Flare
3 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.
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Cite as: UNEP IMEO MARS plume e2cf2653-14a5-4c21-b3e1-420c0e4bab90, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/e2cf2653-14a5-4c21-b3e1-420c0e4bab90), accessed 6 Oct 2026.