Satellites Spot Methane Emissions from Fossil Fuel Sites Across the Globe

Methane is the second-largest human-caused contributor to global warming, often overshadowed by carbon dioxide despite having nearly 30 times its warming impact over the short term.

Large volumes of methane are released from clearly identifiable sources in the energy sector, including flare stacks, coal mine vents and open-pit mining operations.

Using a constellation of private satellites operated by GHGSat, researchers have now mapped methane emissions from thousands of oil, gas and coal facilities worldwide. The facility-level data pinpoints exactly where emissions are occurring, offering policymakers and companies a more precise basis for targeted climate-mitigation efforts.

Satellite mapping of global methane emissions

According to a study published in Science on December 11, 2025, GHGSat’s satellite network has produced the world’s first global, gridded estimate of methane emissions at the facility scale. Dylan Jervis of GHGSat said the data provides unprecedented visibility into emission sources that were previously difficult to quantify.

The study analysed emissions from 3,114 sites. It found that Turkmenistan, the United States, Russia, Mexico and Kazakhstan were the largest sources of methane emissions from oil and gas operations. In the coal sector, China and Russia emerged as the top emitters.

Sector-wise emission patterns

The analysis showed that methane emissions vary significantly by sector. Coal facilities released detectable methane nearly 50% of the time, indicating more persistent emissions. Oil and gas installations, by contrast, were more intermittent, producing measurable methane plumes only about 16% of the time.

Researchers said the findings highlight the importance of continuous monitoring. Even infrequent releases can have a substantial climate impact, and identifying these episodic emissions could allow operators and regulators to act quickly to reduce leaks and curb overall methane output.

The study suggests that satellite-based monitoring could become a critical tool in global efforts to cut methane emissions—one of the fastest ways to slow near-term warming.