Powering Bitcoin mining with oilfield well-head gas

Wyoming Mining wanted to use well-head gas to power their bitcoin mining project. The site has several Bitcoin mining data center, each the size of a 40’ shipping container, filled with computers, transformers and HVAC equipment which would need up to 3.5 MW of total power. With space limited at the location, the power footprint, hardware and layout are paramount to the success of the project. As the fuel source originates from a producing gas well, access to the location can be particularly difficult in harsh winter months. Due to the nature of the operation, the power needs to be available 24/7 with as close to 100% uptime as possible.

Aggreko’s expert team designed and engineered the ideal configuration of equipment to fit the restricted site layout, operate in harsh cold temperatures and provide the necessary power and reliability needed. We additionally assisted in the process of applying for the Air Permit with the state authorities. The customer wanted a solution that gave them complete peace of mind and full power reliability, so we are installing nineteen 200 kW Aggreko gas generators, fuel separators, and associated distribution equipment and cabling. The equipment will be shipped from our local depot and we will have five technicians on site for the installation and two for commissioning.

We have also organized sub-contractors to provide and install the natural gas manifold which, provides fuel to each generator - delivering a full-turnkey solution, allowing the customer to focus on their core business of Bitcoin Mining. During the life of the project, Aggreko technicians will provide service and support via our 24/7 Remote Operations Center (ROC). The ROC remotely monitors our installation delivering an early warning of any potential problems, monitors the efficiency of the site and improves the safety of the entire operation. Coupled with the N+1 redundancy built into the design to remove scheduled servicing risks, this allows us to maximize uptime to as close to 100% as possible throughout their operations.

Through our careful design process and running assessments of different options, including their Bitcoin mining capacity, we were able to advise the client on the number of Bitcoin mining data center they could install and provide the optimum solution. The built-in redundancy will allow the project to operate 24/7 with no interruptions for scheduled servicing of the generators, as well as providing cost savings and operating simplicity. The business model is based on using gas from the well-head, or field gas from a pipeline, specifically because of the affordable cost of this fuel. Operators are increasingly open to selling this gas at reduced rates than be forced to flare it in the face of increasingly stringent regulations, including environmental fines.