High-frequency monitoring of anomalous methane point sources with multispectral Sentinel-2 satellite observations

Abstract. We demonstrate the capability of Sentinel-2 MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) to detect and quantify anomalously large methane point sources with fine pixel resolution (20 m) rapid revisit rates (2–5 d). present three column retrieval methods that use shortwave infrared (SWIR) measurements from MSI spectral bands 11 (? 1560–1660 nm) 12 2090–2290 atmospheric plumes. The most successful is multi-band–multi-pass (MBMP) method, which uses a combination two non-plume reference observation retrieve columns. MBMP method can down about 3 t h?1 precision ? 30 %–90 % (1?) over favorable (quasi-homogeneous) surfaces. applied our perform high-frequency monitoring strong source plumes well-pad device in Hassi Messaoud oil field Algeria (October 2019 August 2020, observed every 2.5 d) compressor station Korpezhe gas Turkmenistan (August 2015 November 5 Algerian was detected 93 cloud-free scenes, ranging 2.6 51.9 (averaging 9.3 h?1) until it shut by flare lit 2020. Turkmen 40 variable intermittency 9-month shutdown period March–December before resumed; ranged 3.5 92.9 20.5 h?1). Our source-rate retrievals for are close agreement GHGSat-D satellite observations February 2018 January 2019, but provide much higher density. be readily other instruments coarse SWIR bands, such as Landsat-7 Landsat-8. High-frequency satellite-based detection anomalous demonstrated here could enable prompt corrective action help reduce global emissions.