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Methane is responsible for around 30% of the global warming experienced since pre-industrial times, making it one of the most important greenhouse gases to tackle in the near term. While carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere for centuries, methane has a much shorter atmospheric lifetime, meaning emission reductions can deliver comparatively rapid climate benefits. As a result, identifying and stopping large methane leaks has become a major focus of governments, regulators, and industry worldwide.
Recent research published in Geophysical Research Letters demonstrates how advances in Earth Observation are bringing us closer to a truly global methane monitoring system, capable of detecting, locating, and tracking major emission events multiple times per day. This development highlights the growing role of remote sensing in supporting climate action and environmental accountability.
Source: de Jong et al. (2025), Daily Global Methane Super-Emitter Detection and Source Identification With Sub-Daily Tracking
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024GL111824 [agupubs.on….wiley.com], [research.vu.nl]
Why Methane Matters
Methane (CH₄) is emitted from a variety of sources, including:
- Oil and gas infrastructure
- Landfills
- Coal mining
- Agriculture
- Wastewater treatment facilities
A particularly important category is the so-called“super-emitters”: individual facilities or emission events that release disproportionately large amounts of methane. Research has consistently shown that a relatively small number of these sources can contribute significantly to total emissions, making them attractive targets for mitigation efforts. [agupubs.on….wiley.com], [eartharxiv.org]
The challenge has always been finding them quickly enough to take corrective action.
Ground-based monitoring networks provide highly accurate measurements but cannot realistically cover every potential emission source worldwide. This is where satellite remote sensing has become a game-changer.
The Evolution of Satellite Methane Detection
Over the past decade, methane monitoring from space has advanced rapidly.
One of the most significant developments has been the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-5P mission, carrying the TROPOMI (Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument) sensor. TROPOMI provides daily global coverage and has transformed our ability to identify large methane plumes from space. However, while it delivers excellent atmospheric measurements, its spatial resolution can make pinpointing the exact emitting facility challenging. [agupubs.on….wiley.com], [rspsoc.org.uk]
The latest research addresses this limitation by combining information from TROPOMI with observations from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) sensors operating aboard multiple satellites. The study demonstrates methane detection at approximately 750-metre resolution, allowing scientists to move beyond simply detecting a plume and towards identifying the likely source infrastructure responsible. [agupubs.on….wiley.com], [research.vu.nl]
This shift from detection to attribution represents a significant milestone for operational methane monitoring.
A Multi-Satellite Approach
The innovation described by de Jong and colleagues lies not only in improved spatial resolution but also in the combination of multiple satellite observations.
The researchers utilised data from:
- VIIRS aboard Suomi-NPP
- VIIRS aboard NOAA-20
- VIIRS aboard NOAA-21
- Sentinel-3 observations
- TROPOMI aboard Sentinel-5P
Together, these sensors provide the capability to observe methane emissions several times per day globally. According to the authors, combining three VIIRS instruments with Sentinel-3 data enables at least four opportunities per day to track major methane plumes. [agupubs.on….wiley.com], [rspsoc.org.uk]
This increased observation frequency is particularly important because many methane releases are short-lived. A single daily satellite pass may miss a transient emission event altogether. Multiple observations throughout the day provide a much clearer picture of how emissions evolve over time. [agupubs.on….wiley.com], [silice.csic.es]
From Plume Detection to Source Identification
One of the most compelling aspects of the study is the complementary relationship between TROPOMI and VIIRS.
The near-simultaneous overpasses of Sentinel-5P and Suomi-NPP mean that a methane plume detected by TROPOMI can be rapidly examined using higher-resolution VIIRS observations. Researchers found that this combination enables much more confident attribution of methane emissions to specific facilities or infrastructure assets. [agupubs.on….wiley.com], [research.vu.nl]
This is a critical capability for regulators and operators alike.
Knowing that a methane plume exists is useful. Knowing exactly which facility is responsible allows corrective actions to be targeted quickly and efficiently.
The study also found strong agreement between methane enhancements observed by TROPOMI and those identified through the VIIRS methodology, providing valuable cross-validation between the two systems. [agupubs.on….wiley.com], [rspsoc.org.uk]
Implications for Industry
For the oil and gas sector in particular, satellite monitoring is becoming increasingly important.
Governments worldwide are introducing stricter methane reporting requirements, while investors and stakeholders are demanding greater transparency regarding environmental performance. Satellite-derived methane observations provide an independent source of information that can support:
- Leak detection and repair programmes
- Regulatory compliance
- ESG reporting
- Asset management
- Emissions reduction strategies
Rather than relying solely on periodic inspections, operators can increasingly use Earth Observation data to identify issues as they occur and prioritise maintenance activities accordingly. [agupubs.on….wiley.com], [research.vu.nl]
What This Means for the Remote Sensing Community
For Earth Observation professionals, this research demonstrates how rapidly operational environmental monitoring is evolving.
Methane monitoring is no longer dependent on a single sensor or mission. Instead, it is becoming a coordinated ecosystem of complementary satellite systems, each contributing different strengths:
- TROPOMI provides global detection capability.
- VIIRS provides improved localisation.
- Sentinel-3 contributes additional observation opportunities.
- Future missions are expected to further increase monitoring frequency and accuracy.
The result is something approaching what the authors describe as the foundations of the first daily, global, actionable methane monitoring system. [agupubs.on….wiley.com], [silice.csic.es]
Looking Ahead
The ability to detect methane emissions from space has improved dramatically over the last decade. The next challenge is ensuring that this information leads to real-world action.
The work by de Jong et al. shows how combining multiple Earth Observation platforms can provide not only global coverage but also the spatial and temporal detail needed to identify emission sources and understand their behaviour. As satellite constellations continue to expand and analytical techniques become more sophisticated, methane monitoring is likely to become one of the most successful examples of remote sensing delivering direct environmental impact.
For the geospatial community, it is a powerful reminder that Earth Observation is no longer simply about collecting data. Increasingly, it is about providing actionable intelligence capable of supporting decisions, improving accountability, and helping address some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.