According to analysts, the ranking was created based on satellite observations conducted from January 1 to November 12 of the current year. It includes fields where the highest volumes of methane emissions were recorded during the specified period.
Environmentalists clarified that the list includes facilities emitting between 3.7 to 10 tons of methane per hour, with the highest number of such cases recorded at industrial sites located near the cities of Esenguly and Turkmenabat in the Balkan velayat.
Turkmenistan occupies 17 out of 25 positions in this ranking, which also includes countries such as Venezuela, Iran, Pakistan, and the USA.
Researchers from the Stop Methane project used data on more than 3,000 methane plumes observed at approximately 2,000 oil and gas facilities worldwide. The information was obtained through space monitoring conducted by the American satellite Tanager-1, which captures key locations of oil and gas extraction.
Experts noted that methane emissions significantly affect air quality and contribute to global warming. For example, a source that emits 5 tons of methane per hour pollutes the atmosphere over the course of a year as much as one million SUVs or one large coal-fired power plant.
The issue of methane leaks in Turkmenistan has remained relevant for many years. In 2019, international environmental organizations reported that leaks at the Korpeje oil and gas field were comparable to the pollution caused by one million cars.
Nevertheless, the government of Turkmenistan is taking steps to combat this problem, periodically reporting on its successes. At a forum in April of this year, President Serdar Berdymukhamedov stated that by the end of 2024, methane emissions should be reduced by 11%, exceeding the planned targets.
