US energy company opens mining facility in Middle East to use stranded natural..

[_act_]

US energy company opens crypto mining facility in Middle East to use stranded natural gas

Some critics, especially bitcoin mining critics have always said that bitcoin PoW is not environmentally friendly, but over 50% of mining hashrates are generated from renewable energy and bitcoin miners are going more towards carbon-free environment, although people are concentrating on bitcoin and not facing what is happening in the real world, even if all bitcoin mining hashrates  are 100% generated from green energy, that does not change the global warming resulting from cutting of tress, shrinking of forests and the release of global warming gases from human activities.

Bitcoin miners are going more green and will be one of the industry that will likely go 100% of using green energy in the world.

On Wednesday, June 1 Bloomberg reported that Crusoe Energy, an operator repurposing wasted fuel energy to the computational power of crypto mining, would start its work in Oman, a nation that exports 21% of its gas production and seeks to zero gas flaring by 2030.

The American company will open an office in the capital city of Muscat, and install its equipment for capturing gas waste at well sites. It already held a workshop with the Omani largest energy producers, OQ SAOC and Petroleum Development Oman. The first pilot project will be launched by the end of this year or in early 2023, according to Crusoe’s CEO Chase Lochmiller.

Oman’s government interest in the partnership is driven by an aim to cut the country’s gas flaring — burning off the excessive flammable gas in the process of extraction. Together with Algeria, Iraq, Lybia, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Oman accounts for 90% of flaring in the Arab region, while the region itself accounts for 38% of global flaring. In 2018, by the UN’s Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia estimate, 10% of all the gas consumption in Oman went for flaring.

Instead of gas flaring, converting gases that suppose to be waste to electricity and use to mine bitcoin has been a great move miners are approaching.

[Darker45]

This is the same company that recently partnered with ExxonMobil with the same goal of putting into productivity a good amount of excess gas that would otherwise just be wastefully burned off. It seems they're making significant success in this venture. But the potential is still huge. After all, there's still so much wasted gas out there. Year after year, at least a hundred billion cubic meters of gas is just wastefully flared.

This is apparently good news but this is not turning green. So this doesn't go along with the goal of reaching 100% green energy for Bitcoin mining.

[NotFuzzyWarm]

This is apparently good news but this is not turning green. So this doesn't go along with the goal of reaching 100% green energy for Bitcoin mining.

Correct.
The CO2 emissions from flaring vs 'using it (the waste gas)' are the same. The only difference is that in most countries flaring is heavily penalized through fines/taxes/etc and those fines are not only in addition to but also much higher compared to the CO2 emission fees/taxes paid by the companies if the gas is put to any sort of practical use on-site. When the gas is put to use then only the emission penalties are paid. With the additional income generated through flare mining it is certainly a win-win for the companies involved.

[coolcoinz]

I remember reading that Musk and Dorsey were planning green bitcoin mining together. Also, Tesla was supposed to start accepting bitcoin again when it starts using 50% clean energy so that would play into the narrative. They mine green bitcoin and accept bitcoin for their cars again.

The number of these green mining plants is going to go up because it's "socially acceptable". They want to appease the dumb crowd who was told that Bitcoin is bad because it's not mined with solar power, but banks who don't use solar power are good and diesel engines are good to, because you have a bank account and your neighbor has a diesel truck, so you can't do anything about it, but hey, at least you can hate bitcoin!

IMO this whole Bitcoin is bad for the environment narrative is meant to slow down its progress. There's not much real science behind it, but there are CBDCs in development so slowing down bitcoin is in the interest of big banks.

[Slow death]

this subject of using electricity from electricity that pollutes a lot is something that in my opinion is a big exaggeration, many first world countries use nuclear electricity something very dangerous, so to speak ill of bitcoin mining because it is using electricity that pollutes is something exaggerated . On this gas issue, I wonder to what extent this could be expanded to all miners? Gas companies in other countries are highly pressured by the government to provide all electricity for citizens to have electricity in their homes and the politicians to campaign politically that they are making progress in this matter of preserving the environment, so I very much doubt that they will offer gas electricity for miners in other countries, at least that won't happen anytime soon

[Ahli38]

I think this news is related to news about "Oman backs US-based Crusoe Energy 2022 bitcoin mining pilot project"

Crusoe, a bitcoin mining firm based in Denver, is installing equipment to collect flared gases in Muscat, Oman. An unexpected collaboration between a Denver-based mining firm and the government of Oman has set a positive tone for crypto’s role in reducing fossil fuel waste, as the heated debate on ethical issues related to fossil fuel use in cryptocurrency mining continues to be one of the major themes in the sector.

for more complete news please visit the following sources may be useful: https://www.cryptopolitan.com/oman-backs-crusoe-2022-btc-mining-project/.

This news is very interesting and also great news for bitcoin miners.

[Fortify]

US energy company opens crypto mining facility in Middle East to use stranded natural gas

Some critics, especially bitcoin mining critics have always said that bitcoin PoW is not environmentally friendly, but over 50% of mining hashrates are generated from renewable energy and bitcoin miners are going more towards carbon-free environment, although people are concentrating on bitcoin and not facing what is happening in the real world, even if all bitcoin mining hashrates  are 100% generated from green energy, that does not change the global warming resulting from cutting of tress, shrinking of forests and the release of global warming gases from human activities.

Bitcoin miners are going more green and will be one of the industry that will likely go 100% of using green energy in the world.

On Wednesday, June 1 Bloomberg reported that Crusoe Energy, an operator repurposing wasted fuel energy to the computational power of crypto mining, would start its work in Oman, a nation that exports 21% of its gas production and seeks to zero gas flaring by 2030.

The American company will open an office in the capital city of Muscat, and install its equipment for capturing gas waste at well sites. It already held a workshop with the Omani largest energy producers, OQ SAOC and Petroleum Development Oman. The first pilot project will be launched by the end of this year or in early 2023, according to Crusoe’s CEO Chase Lochmiller.

Oman’s government interest in the partnership is driven by an aim to cut the country’s gas flaring — burning off the excessive flammable gas in the process of extraction. Together with Algeria, Iraq, Lybia, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Oman accounts for 90% of flaring in the Arab region, while the region itself accounts for 38% of global flaring. In 2018, by the UN’s Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia estimate, 10% of all the gas consumption in Oman went for flaring.

Instead of gas flaring, converting gases that suppose to be waste to electricity and use to mine bitcoin has been a great move miners are approaching.

It seems like a long overdue use of these excess gases released while extracting oil. Just imagine all those flare stacks that you used to see happening all over the middle east, vast amount of natural gas just being burned off at the source and going to waste. It's good that it'll be used up and it can contribute massive amounts of free energy to this sort of cryptocurrency mining project, I wonder what happens when the oil wells are finally tapped or what sort of timeframe they last. Then again, you could always make these crypto mining operations somewhat mobile - it just needs that internet connectivity which might be cheap enough to source.

[_act_]

I remember reading that Musk and Dorsey were planning green bitcoin mining together. Also, Tesla was supposed to start accepting bitcoin again when it starts using 50% clean energy so that would play into the narrative. They mine green bitcoin and accept bitcoin for their cars again.

Elon Musk is a clawn, how is Tesla so important that he did not want to accept bitcoin, bitcoin did not depend on a single person or a single country. Tesla do not have to accept bitcoin after Elon Musk propaganda to accept doge.

The number of these green mining plants is going to go up because it's "socially acceptable". They want to appease the dumb crowd who was told that Bitcoin is bad because it's not mined with solar power, but banks who don't use solar power are good and diesel engines are good to, because you have a bank account and your neighbor has a diesel truck, so you can't do anything about it, but hey, at least you can hate bitcoin!

Yes, that is true, miners are going towards green energy, leaving the other industries to their carbon producing energies. Solar is not the only green energy. Energy derived from wind, nuclear and renewable energies like well constructed hydroelectric power plant are all green energy.

[kryptqnick]

I don't understand how using natural gas is eco-friendly, even if the way it will be used is better than other methods. Also, I would not be against this idea under normal circumstances, but not right now. Right now, Europe is paying lots of money to Russia because of heavily relying on its gas. This money sponsors a terrible war. So if there's some gas that can be used for mining, couldn't it be used for heating? Couldn't it help reduce Europe's dependence on Russian gas? If not, then it's fine, but if it could be, I think heating homes, so that people don't freeze to death, is the first priority, and crypto mining can use something other than gas.

[bbc.reporter]

Are the fuel prices in America also affecting the electricity prices in many areas of the country? I reckon for bitcoin miners and energy companies that want to provide electricity for bitcoin miners, it will certainly be cheaper to move out of America and bring their farms somewhere with a government that will be more accomodating and where there are cheaper sources of electricity.

The Biden administration might begin to make profitability very difficult for miners in America.



The Biden administration is teeing up policy recommendations to lower cryptocurrency mining’s energy consumption and emissions footprint, marking its first major foray into a poorly understood industry that critics say threatens U.S. climate goals and strains the power grid.

“It’s important, if this is going to be part of our financial system in any meaningful way, that it’s developed responsibly and minimizes total emissions,” Costa Samaras, principal assistant director for energy for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, told Bloomberg Law.

“When we think about digital assets, it has to be a climate and energy conversation,” Samaras said.

The report, expected in August, could be one of the first studies following President Joe Biden’s executive order in March pressing federal agencies to ensure the “responsible” mining of digital assets such as cryptocurrency.

Source https://news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-and-energy/crypto-miners-energy-climate-costs-draw-white-house-scrutiny

[NotATether]

This is apparently good news but this is not turning green. So this doesn't go along with the goal of reaching 100% green energy for Bitcoin mining.

Correct.
The CO2 emissions from flaring vs 'using it (the waste gas)' are the same. The only difference is that in most countries flaring is heavily penalized through fines/taxes/etc and those fines are not only in addition to but also much higher compared to the CO2 emission fees/taxes paid by the companies if the gas is put to any sort of practical use on-site. When the gas is put to use then only the emission penalties are paid. With the additional income generated through flare mining it is certainly a win-win for the companies involved.

Oh and it has an additional benefit too, even though it's not green mining: It strengthens the BTC blockchain (only) by bringing oil companies into it as miners.

It's well known that oil companies do not buckle under the pressure of environmental activists. This is inherently a bad thing but if they help Bitcoin fence off the massive torrent of slander against it [starting with "Oh look the price fell 50% again, Bitcoin is finished"] then it should be welcomed.

[davis196]

I don't understand how using natural gas is eco-friendly, even if the way it will be used is better than other methods. Also, I would not be against this idea under normal circumstances, but not right now. Right now, Europe is paying lots of money to Russia because of heavily relying on its gas. This money sponsors a terrible war. So if there's some gas that can be used for mining, couldn't it be used for heating? Couldn't it help reduce Europe's dependence on Russian gas? If not, then it's fine, but if it could be, I think heating homes, so that people don't freeze to death, is the first priority, and crypto mining can use something other than gas.

1.Natural gas is more eco-friendly than oil.
2.What the hell are you talking about? Gas flaring has nothing to do with Europe, because Europe doesn't have big gas production. This technology can applied only in the countries, that are extracting lots of natural gas.

Oman’s government interest in the partnership is driven by an aim to cut the country’s gas flaring — burning off the excessive flammable gas in the process of extraction.

Heating homes in Oman seems like a weird idea, because the weather in Oman isn't that cold.
Anyway, I don't mind this technology, but I don't know about the exact price of the energy, that is going to be produced by utilizing wasted gas.
Is it going to be cheap enough to make crypto mining profitable in Oman? Oman is a country with pretty high temperatures, wouldn't the crypto mining facilities require lots of cooling(which will eventually make the mining process expensive and ineffective)?

[bittraffic]

I don't understand how using natural gas is eco-friendly, even if the way it will be used is better than other methods. Also, I would not be against this idea under normal circumstances, but not right now. Right now, Europe is paying lots of money to Russia because of heavily relying on its gas. This money sponsors a terrible war. So if there's some gas that can be used for mining, couldn't it be used for heating? Couldn't it help reduce Europe's dependence on Russian gas? If not, then it's fine, but if it could be, I think heating homes, so that people don't freeze to death, is the first priority, and crypto mining can use something other than gas.

If emphasize the word "NATURAL" it would sound eco-friendly.

Bitcoin Mining company using gas isn't illegal so it will be okay, but they shouldn't also mind if  the rest of the oil companies that has extra energy to waste will also build their mining farms.

The need to make money will make oi and gas companies to do the same and then they can use the heat produced by the mining device to heat houses. I have read someone did this already heating up his swimming pool as well.

[Flexystar]

This is apparently good news but this is not turning green. So this doesn't go along with the goal of reaching 100% green energy for Bitcoin mining.

Correct.
The CO2 emissions from flaring vs 'using it (the waste gas)' are the same. The only difference is that in most countries flaring is heavily penalized through fines/taxes/etc and those fines are not only in addition to but also much higher compared to the CO2 emission fees/taxes paid by the companies if the gas is put to any sort of practical use on-site. When the gas is put to use then only the emission penalties are paid. With the additional income generated through flare mining it is certainly a win-win for the companies involved.

Oh and it has an additional benefit too, even though it's not green mining: It strengthens the BTC blockchain (only) by bringing oil companies into it as miners.

It's well known that oil companies do not buckle under the pressure of environmental activists. This is inherently a bad thing but if they help Bitcoin fence off the massive torrent of slander against it [starting with "Oh look the price fell 50% again, Bitcoin is finished"] then it should be welcomed.

Well millions and millions of cars, generators, other commutes are running on the oil that is escalated from the earth crust, how do we supposed to expect the oil companies even bother about environmentalist. They would keep doing what they are doing because the whole process is shown as regulated, being done with proper documentation and every aspect of mining also checked properly. Definitely it's all about the money and we know very well its dangerous for earth anyways.

Now, the fact that bitcoin mining needs to be greener is little off the frame. I mean it's funny no one is talking about 100% use of electric cars whose being charged on naturally produced energy, but they do talk about bitcoin mining because out of no where it's the reason for green house effect.

Its odd, really odd.

[aoluain]

This story is about two things which is mentioned in the line:

US energy company opens crypto mining facility in Middle East to use stranded natural gas

Energy companies turning to Bitcoin mining - will this mean they out compete other
miners for the fact their energy costs will be potentially lower?

Stranded Natural Gas - using gas which would otherwise be flared off has to be welcomed,
it means more efficiency and
that has to be welcomed

[Fundamentals Of]

Energy companies turning to Bitcoin mining - will this mean they out compete other
miners for the fact their energy costs will be potentially lower?

Stranded Natural Gas - using gas which would otherwise be flared off has to be welcomed,
it means more efficiency and
that has to be welcomed

There's probably no other competition among Bitcoin miners except the one in which miners are competing against each other in solving the problem. So that's only computation competition. I don't think there is this level of competition in their business operations.

Even though other mining farms are not using stranded gas supply, it could still be possible that their energy cost is not really that more expensive compared to excess energy sources. Energy blocks could be accessed in negotiated prices.

[romero121]

It looks like the oil crisis around US and other western nations could've led to this. US and Middle East Countries always have a good relation. Maybe if there isn't any problem for natural gas, then the energy company would've opened its operation in USA. More Energy Companies are finding way to make use of the stranded natural gas for mining purpose. Another one is the Kenyan Energy Company inviting investors from USA and UK to setup mining farms that can be run out of the excess energy generated.

[franky1]

US energy company opens crypto mining facility in Middle East to use stranded natural gas

Instead of gas flaring, converting gases that suppose to be waste to electricity and use to mine bitcoin has been a great move miners are approaching.

to clarify.. this is a pilot project at ONE well site using flared gas. its not a massive project. and its not all dreamy hype. its a small facility.

the 'flared' gas is flared for a reason. its not good quality gas and the cost to try to 'pipe' it into the network is expensive. so thats why its never used commercially before. so dont expect big things from this.

its more like deliver a shipping container of asics to the well so that they can mine at the well site. thus save on having to pipe the gas off-site to a central mining farm connected to many wells.

it will be more like lots of micro farms(shipping containers) dotted across the land which then connect to a pool. rather than a large mining warehouse facility getting energy from the grid.

its a novel approach. but as the article says, its a pilot project to see if it can work and see what can be generated to see how cost feasible it is to replicate at each well site.

..
the optional way of viewing this is .. instead of a pipe sticking out of the ground with a flame bursting out the top and smoke billowing above it. instead at the top of the pipe will be an engine that turns a turbine. and that produces electric which powers asics. and this then affords the company to then put filters and exhausts on the outlet so that there is little/no smoke coming out at the end.

this is not to give oil companies a large BTC investment to hoard and profit from long term from running large mining farms. its more to do with mining small amounts using small micro farms per well-site. to cover the cost of the exhaust filtration.

yep the reason they dont put an exhaust and filter system on the top of a flare pipe before is cost. and its too costly to pipe the gas out of the area to the gas network. so by earning money onsite. then pays for the equipment needed onsite to clean the fumes from the burning of gas

[justdimin]

I remember reading that Musk and Dorsey were planning green bitcoin mining together. Also, Tesla was supposed to start accepting bitcoin again when it starts using 50% clean energy so that would play into the narrative. They mine green bitcoin and accept bitcoin for their cars again.

Elon Musk is a clawn, how is Tesla so important that he did not want to accept bitcoin, bitcoin did not depend on a single person or a single country. Tesla do not have to accept bitcoin after Elon Musk propaganda to accept doge.

I believe that Elon is doing something that would be good in this situation though. He is definitely a clown there is no denying that but we should not just ignore all the good he might do just because he is not a good person. If he could do some solar panel type of stuff which he is known for, he could definitely end up doing something much better with it because it would be green and he would be able to not spend any money at all.

This would be profiting you a lot and it would end up with a great business for him. Obviously he would need to work towards getting too many machines, because he has the solar power but he doesn't have the asic miners.

[Kakmakr]

This is the same company that recently partnered with ExxonMobil with the same goal of putting into productivity a good amount of excess gas that would otherwise just be wastefully burned off. It seems they're making significant success in this venture. But the potential is still huge. After all, there's still so much wasted gas out there. Year after year, at least a hundred billion cubic meters of gas is just wastefully flared.

This is apparently good news but this is not turning green. So this doesn't go along with the goal of reaching 100% green energy for Bitcoin mining.

I disagree with you.... if it is simply flared with no use, it will be a waste of energy ....but now that energy is used for something and less electricity is spend that are generated from "dirty" resources. (Eg Coal burning) 

Anything that generated electricity or has the potential to generate energy, without being used... is simply a waste. If you use that energy that would have been wasted, you save the planet. (because you are not using something else to get that electricity)