Hyperscale Data has launched a pilot project to explore the feasibility of Bitcoin mining powered by natural gas turbines operated by an undisclosed project partner.

Hyperscale plans to install a mobile data center with approximately 100 Bitcoin miners on an offshore platform off the coast of Louisiana.

The project aims to monetize the stranded asset by utilizing electrical power generated from gas that is being held but not ready for transportation.

The Bitcoin mining machines are expected to be deployed in the coming weeks, and the project will run until February 2025, with the possibility of renewals. This will provide sufficient data accumulation to decide on a larger project.

The announcement comes shortly after the company rebranded and pivoted all its focus to AI data centers, divesting its other assets.

Hyperscale (formerly Ault Alliance) sees the pilot as a transitional tool, providing the opportunity to deploy its Bitcoin assets while “the company makes its transition to a pureplay data center business,” says William Horne, CEO.

Several other data center operators have explored monetizing stranded natural gas assets.

In October, MARA launched a 25MW micro data center operation across oil wellheads in Texas and North Dakota, powered exclusively by excess natural gas.

Companies using flared gas to power servers claim the process benefits the environment because otherwise wasted energy is used.