politics

Greenland issues ‘strong warning’ as Trump-linked oil firm prepares to drill

Island’s government says no approval given after Greenland Energy brings kit ashore for exploratory drilling

Greenland issues ‘strong warning’ as Trump-linked oil firm prepares to drill

TL;DR

  • Greenland Energy, an American oil company with ties to Donald Trump, is preparing to drill wells in Greenland.
  • Materials for drilling were brought ashore without explicit permission from Greenland's authorities.
  • The Greenlandic government issued a 'strong warning' that no approval had been granted for the landing of the equipment.
  • Greenland Energy plans to drill two wells in the Jameson Land region, estimating potential crude reserves of $1tn.
  • Greenland stopped issuing new oil licenses in 2021 due to environmental concerns, though a UK company had secured exploration rights in Jameson Land.
  • Greenland Energy seeks a majority stake in the project by funding exploration but requires government permission.
  • The company has hired Phil McGraw to create a documentary series about the project.
  • A director appointed to Greenland Energy is involved in a US navy missile defence plan for which Trump considers controlling Greenland 'vital'.
  • Local residents noticed a tug unloading containers of drilling equipment.
  • The Greenland government stated it would not be proportionate to demand the equipment be removed, and an application for permission is still being processed.
  • A vessel carrying 300 shipping containers of equipment is set to sail from Canada on September 12, with drilling planned to begin in October.
  • Jeff Landry, Trump's Greenland envoy, suggested Greenland could be pumping oil next year.