Web Portal FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions relate to content and data on the MethaneSAT web portal. For general questions about MethaneSAT, see our general FAQ (PDF).
What data are included in the MethaneSAT web portal?
The MethaneSAT web portal includes the location, time and date, and methane emission rates at three separate scales:
- Emissions per ~200 km x 200 km target
- Emissions per kilometer scale grid such as 5 km x 5km or 1 km x 1 km (also known as dispersed sources, or methane emissions spread out over a wide region).
- Emissions per distinct point source (methane emissions detected at very high levels that stand out from dispersed emissions– at rates from around 500 kg/hour).
It also includes the names of known oil and gas operators and the types of oil and gas infrastructure present, including:
- Pipelines
- Wells
- Crude oil refineries
- Gathering and processing facilities
- Injection and disposal facilities
- Natural gas compressor stations
- Natural gas flaring detections, based on VIIRS
- Offshore platforms
- Petroleum terminals
- Tank batteries
- Other station types
The web portal currently shows data from our MethaneAIR campaign from 2023. Additional features and data from MethaneSAT will become available soon.
What’s the difference between distinct point source emissions and dispersed sources?
Distinct point source emissions can be traced back to a specific location or point of origin. MethaneSAT is able to detect emissions from distinct point sources if they are emitting at least 500 kg of methane per hour. MethaneAIR can detect point sources emitting at least 200 kg or methane per hour.
Dispersed sources are spread out across a wide region and can’t be traced back to a specific point on the ground. MethaneSAT represents dispersed emissions on a kilometer scale grid (e.g. 5 km x 5 km, 1 km x 1 km). These emissions, at rates from 10 kg/hr/km2, paint a picture of an entire oil and gas basin spanning thousands of square kilometers. . The majority of methane emissions in an oil and gas basin can be from dispersed sources.
How are data collected?
The portal includes data collected via aircraft between 2021 and 2023 and data collected by the satellite beginning in 2024.
In early 2025, the portal will publish satellite data from approximately 20 targets/day within weeks of observation.
How often will measurement data be updated?
Data will appear on the platform within 1-2 weeks of observation.
Are emissions attributable to specific operators?
Distinct point sources may be attributable to specific operators or facilities.
Dispersed emissions may be attributable in areas where there is a single operator or a small number of operators owning assets across large geographies.
In complex regions like the Permian Basin, where facilities are operated by different companies in close proximity to each other – direct attribution is more difficult.
The portal indicates operators and equipment types that are located within a 500 meter radius of detected emissions.
Can MethaneSAT detect oil and gas infrastructure?
The MethaneSAT web portal includes information from an Oil and Gas Infrastructure Mapping (OGIM) database.
This global, spatially explicit, and granular database of oil and gas infrastructure, developed at Environmental Defense Fund supports the quantification and source characterization of oil and gas methane emissions. The database development is based on the acquisition, analysis, curation, integration, and quality-assurance, performed at EDF, of public-domain datasets reported by official government sources, industry, academic, and other non-government entities. The database is updated annually.
Visit this page for more information about how this data is collected, managed and updated.
How many targets will MethaneSAT observe?
MethaneSAT will collect methane data from ~20 targets each day.
Initially, MethaneSAT will collect data from about 150 total targets covering approximately 80% of onshore oil and gas production.
Eventually, 300 offshore and onshore targets may be collected, covering about 90% of oil and gas production.
How frequently will each target be measured?
Targets can be revisited every 3-4 days, providing users with information about how emissions change over time across different regions.
How large is a target?
MethaneSAT observes targets that are approximately 200 km x 200 km.
Where can I download datasets?
MethaneSAT data can be explored on two visual interfaces:
- The MethaneSAT web portal at data.methanesat.org
- The Google Earth Engine App at showcase.earthengine.app/view/methanesat
MethaneSAT data will be available for advanced analysis on Google Earth Engine, a Google-owned platform that enables users to visualize and analyze geospatial data of our planet. Users may also download or ingest the data via Google Earth Engine’s API. Google Earth Engine fees may apply.
How are MethaneSAT data products different from other satellites?
Because of its geographic scale and high precision, MethaneSAT can see all emissions, including both distinct point sources and dispersed emissions. This enables us to quickly and accurately produce policy relevant data and analysis, such as basin by basin comparisons. MethaneSAT is the only methane-detecting satellite that maps and quantifies emissions from dispersed sources, which can make up 60-70% of an oil and gas basin’s methane footprint, at a high resolution
See MethaneSAT’s resolution and how it compares to other satellites here.
Glossary of Terms and Acronyms
| TERM | DEFINITION |
|---|---|
| Basin | The common name of the geological formation from which oil and natural gas is extracted. |
| Composition of Emissions | A look at emissions in a specific observation, broken out by dispersed sources and distinct point sources. |
| Dispersed Sources | Methane emissions spread out over a wide region, represented on a kilometer scale grid (e.g. 5kmx5km, 1kmx1km). These emissions, at rates from 10 kg/hr/km2, paint a picture of an entire oil and gas basin spanning thousands of square kilometers. The grid resolution will decrease as the data processing platform matures. MethaneSAT is the only methane-detecting satellite that can quantify dispersed emissions sources. |
| Distinct Point Sources | Methane emissions detected at very high levels that stand out from dispersed emissions– at rates from around 500 kg/hour. MethaneSAT pinpoints the geographical origin of these mega-emissions down to a specific location (i.e. longitude and latitude). Methane data collected via aircraft has a lower detection limit and can detect distinct point sources emitting from about 200 kg/hour. |
| Filter by Operator | A feature on the MethaneSAT web portal that allows data users to see which operators manage the operations of oil and gas equipment within a 500 meter area of detected emissions. |
| Gas Flare Stack by VIIRS | Flaring sites observed by the VIIRS satellite. Flaring is the practice of burning natural gas and produces significant emissions when malfunctioning. |
| kg/hr | Kilograms per hour – a standard unit of measurement for the emission rate of oil and gas methane. To understand the climate impact of various emissions rates, see our equivalency calculator. |
| Km2 | Square kilometer – the MethaneSAT web portal visualizes emissions data across square kilometer gridded areas. |
| Observations Over Time | A view of methane emissions measured in a particular target, organized chronologically. |
| Oil and Gas Infrastructure Mapping Database (OGIM) | A global, spatially explicit database developed by Environmental Defense Fund and MethaneSAT, LLC used to identify oil and gas infrastructure and operators within a region. These data were acquired, assembled, and quality-assured based on data from various public governmental and academic sources. |
| Operator | The last known company responsible for managing the operations of a selected piece of oil and gas equipment. |
| Target | A MethaneSAT target, a geographic area where the satellite will observe, is 200 km x 200 km. The satellite will routinely measure emissions from ~150 targets globally, which cover more than 80% of the world’s oil and gas producing regions and approximately 50 production basins. MethaneSAT will measure emissions from ~20 targets per day and can revisit each target every two to three days. |