## [ Science & research ](/scienceandresearch) ![MethaneSAT satellite above Earth](/sites/default/files/styles/1440px_width_scale/public/2026-02/MethaneSat_aboveEarth_uncropped.png?itok=_13OmLXA) # Science & Research MethaneSAT publications based on data from MethaneSAT, MethaneAIR and the broader satellite ecosystem MethaneSAT is more than a satellite. The mission includes scientists and researchers conducting ongoing analysis of data collected by MethaneSAT, MethaneAIR and the broader ecosystem of methane satellites. To date we have published dozens of peer-reviewed papers, with many more planned or in the peer review process. These studies broaden global understanding of the whole methane emissions picture, helping improve monitoring efforts and solutions to address the oil and gas industry’s methane emissions problem. **The research falls into 3 categories: calibration, algorithms, and data products.** ![Calibrate](/sites/default/files/styles/800x600_focal_point/public/2026-04/JHOUSTON_20250912_00849_calibrate.jpg?h=10d202d3&itok=igkv8K0m) ## CALIBRATION These studies improve accuracy, precision, and reliability of MethaneSAT measurements by comparing instrument readings against known standards, characterizing and correcting sources of errors, and ensuring the data remains stable, traceable, and reliable over time. ![Algorithm](/sites/default/files/styles/800x600_focal_point/public/2026-04/MethaneSAT_SneakPeek_newHeatmap2025_algorithms.jpg?h=c74750f6&itok=mbWGYYZu) ## ALGORITHMS Studies about science algorithms advance the methods and technical innovations that turn MethaneSAT observations into actionable, decision-ready results. This includes quantification methods, processing efficiency, cloud screening, and more. ![Data Products](/sites/default/files/styles/800x600_focal_point/public/2026-04/JHOUSTON_20250915_00938_data_products.jpg?h=10d202d3&itok=81YAgEMv) ## DATA PRODUCTS These studies use MethaneSAT data to produce practical insights and tools to drive methane mitigation, showing how our data can help understand emissions patterns, inform scientific research, and strengthen climate policy, accountability, and transparency. ## Latest published research Data Products July 30, 2026 ## [ Detection and quantification of agricultural methane plumes using MethaneAIR through targeted scene selection, wavelet denoising, and divergence-integral analysis ](https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-10661-2026) Read summaryThis work demonstrates that MethaneAIR observations can be used to detect and quantify methane plumes from Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), showing that agricultural methane emissions are highly variable and can exceed inventory estimates under detectable conditions. By combining targeted scene selection, wavelet denoising, and divergence-integral flux estimation, the study highlights the value of airborne and satellite measurements for improving agricultural methane monitoring and emissions verification. Algorithms July 21, 2026 ## [ Automatic Methane Plume Masking Based on Wavelet Transform Image Processing: Application to MethaneAIR and MethaneSAT data ](https://amt.copernicus.org/articles/19/4637/2026/) Read summaryMethane point source emissions can be difficult to detect in satellite imagery when the signals are weak and hidden by background noise. This work developed an automated method for methane plumes detection that improves the visibility of plumes while reducing false detections, decreasing the need for time-consuming manual inspection. The method identifies more low-volume emissions across MethaneSAT and MethaneAIR, helping build a more complete understanding of methane emission distributions. Data Products June 5, 2026 ## [ Methane intensity and emissions across major oil and gas basins and individual jurisdictions using MethaneSAT observations ](https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/26/5961/2026/) Read summaryA new study used satellite data from MethaneSAT collected across multiple days and regions in the United States, Mexico, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Iraq to quantify and map oil and gas methane emissions at high-resolution. By scanning vast areas in fine detail, researchers found that methane emissions vary not only between regions, but also between counties and districts within the same oil and gas basin. These findings give policymakers a more precise, localized view of emissions hotspots, helping identify where the industry should prioritize repairs to more effectively slow climate warming. Algorithms May 22, 2026 ## [ Preprint: Plume Segmentation from MethaneSAT with Cross-Sensor Transfer Learning and Physics-Informed Postprocessing ](https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.24273) Read summary***Note: This is a preprint, and we expect the final published version to become available soon.*** This study advances MethaneSAT’s ability to automatically detect and segment methane plumes by combining deep learning, cross-sensor transfer learning, and physics-informed postprocessing. By leveraging MethaneAIR observations to overcome limited labeled satellite data, the team developed an instance-segmentation framework that reliably identifies individual methane plumes and supports both high-sensitivity emissions screening and high-confidence source attribution. These improvements strengthen MethaneSAT’s capacity to map methane emissions and provide actionable insights for climate mitigation efforts. Data Products May 14, 2026 ## [ Preprint: Satellite-derived methane emissions reveal persistent gaps in global oil and gas mitigation performance ](https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-9688202/v1) Read summary***Note: This is a preprint, and we expect the final published version to become available soon.*** New analysis of MethaneSAT data reveals that methane leaks from global oil and gas operations are roughly 60% higher than what companies and governments have previously reported. Results from this study show that certain regions in North America, the Middle East, and Central Asia are losing far more natural gas than others, making them prime targets for urgent repairs. Ultimately, current emissions levels are about ten times higher than international climate targets, highlighting a massive gap between current industry practices and global methane mitigation goals. [View all publications](/publications)