a2) United States Patent
`US 11,574,372 B2
`10) Patent No:
`
`(45) Date of Patent: Feb. 7, 2023
`Barbour
`
`US011574372B2
`
`BLOCKCHAIN MINE AT OIL OR GAS
`FACILITY
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`None
`
`(54)
`
`(71)
`
`Applicant: Upstream Data Inc., Lloydminster
`(CA)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventor: Stephen Barbour, Lloydminster (CA)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: Upstream Data Inc., Llyodminster
`(CA)
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 729 days.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`16/484,728
`
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,142,672 A
`5,367,669 A
`
`8/1992 Johnson
`11/1994 Holland
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`AU
`AU
`
`2/2010
`2009203009 Al
`2014101324 A4 * 12/2014
`
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Youtube. “Using Natural Gas to Mine Bitcoin With Matthew
`Lohstroh.” (Sep. 18, 2019). Retrieved online Apr. 16, 2022. https://
`www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYpsZzlevow (Year: 2019).*
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner — James A Reagan
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Robert A. Nissen
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Methods and systems of operating a blockchain mining
`device using natural gas producedat a hydrocarbon produc-
`tion, storage, or processing site/facility. A generator may be
`retrofitted to an existing prime moverused to pumpthe well,
`and the generator may be used to power the blockchain
`mining device. Portable mining devices may be hooked up
`to a casinghead gas supply at a remote, isolated oil facility.
`Powerloading levels may be modulated by adjusting mining
`transaction levels to correspond with combustible gas pro-
`duction levels.
`
`41 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`PCT Filed:
`
`Feb. 6, 2018
`
`PCT No.:
`
`PCT/CA2018/050135
`
`§ 371 (€)(),
`(2) Date:
`
`Jan. 6, 2020
`
`PCT Pub. No.: WO2018/145201
`
`PCT Pub. Date: Aug. 16, 2018
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2020/0051184 Al
`
`Feb. 13, 2020
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`Provisional application No. 62/456,380, filed on Feb.
`8, 2017.
`
`(22)
`
`(86)
`
`(87)
`
`(65)
`
`(60)
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`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`
`G06Q 30/00
`G06Q 50/06
`
`(52)
`
`USS. Cl.
`
`(2012.01)
`(2012.01)
`(Continued)
`
`CPC wees G06Q 50/06 (2013.01); E21B 41/00
`(2013.01); FO2M 21/0209 (2013.01);
`(Continued)
`
`45
`
`
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`1
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`CRUSOE 1001
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`CRUSOE 1001
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`1
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`

`

`US 11,574,372 B2
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`Page 2
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`(51)
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`Int. Cl.
`GO6F 16/23
`E2IB 41/00
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`2019.01
`0g oD
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2012.01)
`(2022.01)
`(2022.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`FO2M 21/02
`GO5B 15/02
`G06Q 10/06
`HOAL 67/104
`HOAL 67/1097
`HO2) 906
`(52) U.S. Cl
`CPC oo... F02M 21/0218 (2013.01); GO5B 15/02
`(2013.01); GO6F 16/2315 (2019.01); G06Q
`10/06313 (2013.01); HO4L 67/104 (2013.01);
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`2
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`

`

`US 11,574,372 B2
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`Page 3
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`US 11,574,372 B2
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`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 7, 2023
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`Sheet 1 of 6
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`Sheet 5 of6
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`US 11,574,372 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb.7, 2023
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`US 11,574,372 B2
`
`1
`BLOCKCHAIN MINE AT OIL OR GAS
`FACILITY
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`This document relates to blockchain mining at an oil or
`gas facility.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`At remote oil and gasfacilities, excess natural gas is often
`wasted, for example vented to atmosphere or burned via
`flaring.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`Asystem is disclosed comprising: a source of combustible
`gas produced from an oil production, storage, or processing
`facility, such as a remote oil well; a generator connected to
`the source of combustible gas; and a blockchain mining
`device connected to the generator.
`A method is disclosed comprising using a source of
`combustible gas producedat a hydrocarbon production well,
`storage, or processing facility,
`to produce electricity to
`operate a blockchain mining device located at the hydrocar-
`bon production well, storage, or processing facility, respec-
`tively.
`A method is disclosed comprising using a source of
`combustible gas, which is produced from a remote oil or gas
`well, to produce electricity to operate a blockchain mining
`device.
`
`A methodis disclosed comprising: disconnecting a source
`of combustible gas from a gas vent or combustion device at
`a hydrocarbon production well or processing facility; and
`connecting the source of combustible gas to produce elec-
`tricity to operate a blockchain mining device.
`A method is disclosed comprising using a source of
`combustible gas, which is produced from a remote oil or gas
`well, to produce electricity to operate a blockchain mining
`device.
`
`A methodis disclosed of reducing ventedorflared natural
`gas at upstream oil and gasfacilities, the method consists of
`operating a natural gas aspirated prime moverfueled directly
`by the vented or flared gas source; the prime mover runs a
`generator to generate power, the generator powersa portable
`blockchain mine.
`An upstream oil and gas blockchain mining apparatusis
`disclosed comprising a well, excess gas is captured off the
`casing of the well to run a natural gas engine, the engine runs
`both a hydraulic pump anda generator, the generator powers
`a portable blockchain mine, where the mining load is sized
`at the low end ofthe variable availability of gas; excess gas
`above the amount required to fuel the load is vented, where
`the mining load is sized at the low end of the variable
`availability of gas; the prime mover varies its torque based
`on the availability of the gas so as to minimize excess vented
`gas, excess power above the amount necessary to run the
`mining load is dissipated in a load bank, where the mining
`load is sized at the high end of the variable availability of
`gas; and make-up gas is taken from propane tankson site or
`from line gas.
`An upstream oil and gas blockchain mining apparatusis
`disclosed comprising a well, excess gas is captured off the
`casing of the well to run a prime moversuch as an engine,
`turbine or boiler, the prime mover runs a generator,
`the
`generator powers a portable blockchain mine, where the
`mining load is sized at the low end of the variable avail-
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
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`25
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`30
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`60
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`2
`ability of gas; excess gas above the amount required to fuel
`the load is vented, where the mining load is sized at the low
`end of the variable availability of gas; the prime mover
`varies its torque based on the availability of the gas so as to
`minimize excess vented gas, excess power above the amount
`necessary to run the mining loadis dissipated in a load bank,
`where the mining load is sized at the high endofthe variable
`availability of gas; make-up gas is taken from propane tanks
`on site or from line gas.
`An upstream oil and gas blockchain mining apparatus is
`disclosed comprising a multi-well pad or group ofsatellite
`wells that produceinto an oil treating facility, gas is captured
`off of the casing of the wells or off of oil and gas separating
`vessels such as tanks at
`the treating facility via vapor
`recovery units or compressors, the gas is used to run a prime
`mover such as an engine or turbine, the prime mover runs a
`generator which powers a portable blockchain mine.
`An upstream oil and gas blockchain mining apparatus is
`disclosed comprising an oil and gas treating facility consists
`of a flare, incinerator, combustor or bummer; excess gas is
`taken off the inlet line of the flare and redirected to a prime
`mover such as a natural gas engine, turbine or boiler, the
`prime mover runs a generator which powers a portable
`blockchain mining device.
`A portable blockchain mining apparatusis disclosed com-
`prising an enclosure containing the blockchain mining
`equipment, the enclosure having a ventilation mechanism,to
`dissipate the heat produced by the mining processors, for
`example one or more of an air supply fan, an exhaust fan,
`louvers, and others, the enclosure having a satellite, radio or
`cellular antenna to provide a connection to the internet, the
`enclosure containing network equipment such as a modem
`and network switch, the enclosure designed to be portable
`such as trailer mounted, the enclosure being insulated from
`the elements, the enclosure containing a natural gas aspi-
`rated engine and a generator to power the mining equipment,
`and the engine may comprise a turbine, where the enclosure
`is an intermodal shipping container, where the enclosure has
`a chiller or air cooling means fitted to it,
`the enclosure
`having a back-up heating means, such as a space heater, to
`be used to pre-heat the enclosure in case of shut down in cold
`weather.
`
`In various embodiments, there may be included any one
`or more of the following features: The oil production,
`storage, or processing facility comprises a remote oil well.
`The oil production, storage, or processing facility comprise
`an oil storage or processing unit. The system is isolated from
`a sales gas line and an external electrical power grid. The
`source of combustible gas comprises the remote oil well;
`and the remote oil well is connected to produce a continuous
`flow of combustible gas to powerthe generator. A combus-
`tion engine is connected to the source of combustible gas
`and connectedto drive the generator. The combustion engine
`is a prime moverthat is connected to produce oil from the
`remote oil well. The combustion engineis a first combustion
`engine, and further comprising a second combustion engine
`that is a prime moverthat is connected to produce oil from
`the remote oil well. The source of combustible gas com-
`prises an oil storage or processing unit with a gas outlet
`connected to supply combustible gas to operate the genera-
`tor; and the oil storage or processing unit is connected to
`receive oil produced from a remote oil well. The generator
`and blockchain mining device are located adjacentto the oil
`production, storage, or processing facility, for example adja-
`cent to the remote oil well. The remote oil well comprises a
`plurality of remote oil wells, and one or both of the follow-
`ing conditions are satisfied: the plurality of remote oi] wells
`
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`12
`
`

`

`US 11,574,372 B2
`
`3
`are located on a multi-well pad; or the plurality of remote oil
`wells include a satellite well. The blockchain mining device
`has a network interface and a mining processor; the network
`interface is connected to receive and transmit data through
`the internet to a network that stores or has access to a
`
`blockchain database; and the mining processor is connected
`to the network interface and adapted to mine transactions
`into blocks associated with the blockchain database and to
`communicate with the blockchain database. The network is
`
`a peer to peer network; the blockchain databaseis a distrib-
`uted database stored on plural nodes in the peer to peer
`network; and the blockchain database stores transactional
`information for a digital currency. A controller is connected
`to modulate a power load level exerted by the blockchain
`mining device on the generator, by increasing or decreasing
`the mining activity of the mining processor. The mining
`processor comprises a plurality of mining processors; and
`the controller is connected to modulate the maximum power
`load level by increasing or decreasing a maximum number
`of mining processors that are engaged in mining. The source
`of combustible gas comprises the remote oil well, which is
`connected to produce a continuous flow of combustible gas
`to operate the generator. The controller is connected to
`modulate the powerload level in response to variations in a
`production rate of combustible gas from the remote oil well.
`A production rate of combustible gas from the remote oil
`well varies between a daily minimum production rate and a
`daily maximum production rate; and while the production
`rate is above the daily minimum production rate, the con-
`troller is set to limit the power load level to at or below a
`power level producible by the generator when the produc-
`tion rate is at
`the daily minimum production rate. The
`controller is set to divert to a load bank excess electricity
`produced by the generator. A production rate of combustible
`gas from the remote oil well varies between a daily mini-
`mum production rate and a daily maximum productionrate;
`the controller is set to limit the power load level to above a
`power level producible by the generator when the produc-
`tion rate is at the daily minimum production rate; and a
`backup source, of fuel or electricity, is connected make up
`a shortfall in fuel or electricity, respectively, required to
`supply the blockchain mining device with the power load
`level. A controller is connected to operate a ventilation,
`heating and cooling system to maintain the blockchain
`mining device within a predetermined operating range of
`temperature. The blockchain mining device is mounted on a
`skid or trailer. The skid or trailer comprises a generator
`driven by an engine, which is connected to the source of
`combustible gas. The engine comprises a turbine. The gen-
`erator and engine may be mounted integral to the skid,
`trailer, or blockchain mining device. The blockchain mining
`device comprises an intermodaltransport container. Prior to
`using the source of combustible gas: disconnecting the
`source of combustible gas from a combustible gas disposal
`device at
`the hydrocarbon production well, storage, or
`processing facility; and connecting the source of combus-
`tible gas to operate the blockchain mining device. Connect-
`ing the source of combustible gas to operate the blockchain
`mining device; and diverting gas from a combustible gas
`disposal or storage device to operate the blockchain mining
`device. The combustible gas disposal or storage device
`comprises one or more ofa flare, a vent to the atmosphere,
`an incinerator, or a burner. The hydrocarbon production
`well, storage, or processing facility comprises an oil or gas
`well that is isolated from a sales gas line and an external
`electrical power grid. The source of combustible gas is a
`remote oil or gas well, and further comprising producing a
`
`30
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`35
`
`4
`continuous flow of combustible gas to power a generator
`connected to operate the blockchain mining device. Produc-
`ing further comprises supplying combustible gas to a com-
`bustion engine that is connected to drive the generator. The
`source of combustible gas is a remote oil well, and further
`comprising using the combustion engine as a prime mover
`to produce oil from the remote oil well. Prior to using the
`source of combustible gas, the combustion engine is under
`loaded as the prime mover, and further comprising connect-
`ing the generator to a power takeoff connected to the
`combustion engine. The combustion engineis a first com-
`bustion engine, and further comprising: prior to supplying
`combustible gas to the first combustion engine, connecting
`the first combustion engine to receive combustible gas from
`the remote oil well; and using a second combustion engine
`as a prime moverto prod