The STOP Methane project, implemented by the Emmett Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, has published a ranking of the largest sources of methane emissions in the global oil and gas sector for 2025. According to the study, most of the sites on the list are located in Turkmenistan, which again appears among the main sources of this greenhouse gas leak, reports Hronikatm.com.
The new data are based on satellite monitoring conducted using the Tanager-1 satellite from Planet Labs and NASA’s EMIT instrument installed on the International Space Station. These instruments detected over 3,100 methane plumes originating from more than 1,900 oil and gas facilities worldwide — spanning low-income countries to the largest global economies.
Researchers note that the sites included in the “Top 25” ranking exhibited the highest hourly methane emission rates. Most of these facilities are in Turkmenistan, with the rest located in Venezuela, Iran, Pakistan, and the United States.
“It is noteworthy that the largest sources of emissions are concentrated in a limited number of countries, with a significant share being Turkmen oil and gas facilities,” the report states.
Against this backdrop, Turkmenistan emphasizes its own efforts to reduce emissions. At the April forum “Central Asia Facing Global Climate Challenges”, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov reported that by the end of 2024, the country had reduced methane emissions by 11%, exceeding planned targets.
Turkmenistan has also adopted its nationally determined contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030 compared to 2010 levels.
Experts note that the new satellite data provide a basis for more precise monitoring of methane leaks and could encourage countries in the region to accelerate climate reforms.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
November 21, 2025