Greenland has issued a warning to a US oil company linked to supporters of President Donald Trump after the firm brought drilling equipment ashore without obtaining prior approval from authorities, according to reports.
The company, Greenland Energy, is preparing for exploratory oil drilling in the Jameson Land region, where it plans to drill an initial well. More equipment is expected to arrive in September, with drilling reportedly scheduled to begin in October.
Greenlandic authorities said the company had not received permission for the landing of the equipment and stressed that activities related to mineral exploration must be notified to and approved by the relevant authorities.
Greenland halted the issuance of new oil exploration licences in 2021 because of environmental concerns. However, UK-based 80 Mile continues to hold exploration rights in the area, while Greenland Energy is expected to take a majority stake in the project and fund the exploration programme.
The planned drilling has attracted additional attention because of Greenland’s strategic importance and Trump’s repeated calls for the United States to acquire the semi-autonomous territory, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Greenland Energy chairman Larry Swets has denied that the drilling project is connected to Trump’s ambitions for Greenland. The company’s links to prominent Trump supporters, however, have drawn scrutiny.
Environmental groups and authorities are also watching the project closely because the proposed drilling area is covered by conservation protections under the Ramsar Convention.
The dispute comes as Greenland seeks greater control over its natural resources while balancing economic interests with environmental protection and its relationship with Denmark and the United States.
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