Satellite Captured Hidden Methane Before Going Dark

Before scientists lost contact with MethaneSAT in 2025, the groundbreaking satellite accomplished something remarkable. It captured the most comprehensive picture ever of methane pollution from oil and gas production worldwide.

The Environmental Defense Fund launched the world's most advanced methane-detecting satellite in 2024. Over 13 months, it monitored 45 major oil and gas regions that produce half the world's onshore energy supply.

The data tells an important story. Methane emissions were 50 percent higher on average than official government estimates, showing that existing tracking methods weren't capturing the full picture.

MethaneSAT's view from space revealed which regions were doing well and which needed urgent improvement. The Appalachian Basin in the eastern United States showed the lowest leak rate at 0.6 percent of marketed gas, while Iraq's Widyan Basin leaked more than 20 percent.

Scientists downloaded all the satellite's data before losing communication. That information is now helping shape better regulations and mitigation strategies in the oil and gas industry.

The Bright Side

This comprehensive dataset gives regulators and companies what they've been missing: clear, unbiased measurements of methane pollution. Without ground visits or flyovers that only spot-check facilities, MethaneSAT provided continuous monitoring across entire regions.

The satellite achieved its core mission despite its shortened life. Chief scientist Steven Hamburg says this "dynamic, empirical data" will reward companies making real progress and identify those falling short.

Major oil companies including ExxonMobil, Shell, and Aramco pledged to reduce methane emissions to 0.2 percent by 2030. Now they have reliable baseline data showing where they stand and how far they need to go.

Even regions with the best performance can improve. The data shows that even the lowest-emitting basins released methane several times higher than industry targets, pointing to achievable opportunities for reduction.

The satellite's year of observations created something lasting. Researchers can now make apples-to-apples comparisons between oil and gas operations worldwide, establishing a new standard for transparency and accountability in the energy industry.

This breakthrough in climate monitoring proves that ambitious technological solutions can deliver results, giving communities and policymakers the tools they need to drive meaningful environmental progress.