Greenland's government has issued a "strong warning" after Texas-based Greenland Energy — a company reported to have links to figures associated with former U.S. President Donald Trump — moved drilling equipment ashore without formal approval as it prepares to explore the remote Jameson Land region for suspected oil reserves.
Company Claims and Plans: Greenland Energy, founded last year in Texas, has publicly suggested there could be as much as $1 trillion worth of crude oil in Jameson Land. The company has proposed spending roughly $60 million on exploratory drilling and has said a vessel carrying 300 containers of drilling equipment is expected to leave Canada on September 12, with drilling targeted for October, pending Greenlandic permits.
Government Response: Greenlandic authorities said the company does not yet have permission to begin operations and sharply criticized the unloading of equipment on the island's eastern coast. In its statement the government warned:
"All future logistical matters must be advised and approved by the Mineral Resources Authority — before they are carried out."
Greenland suspended issuance of new oil licences in 2021 over environmental concerns, although the British firm 80 Mile holds exploration rights in parts of Jameson Land. Corporate filings show Greenland Energy aims to acquire a majority stake in that project in exchange for financing exploration, subject to government approval.
(Screengrab via Truth Social)
Greenland Energy told shareholders that "recent high-level meetings between project leadership and Greenlandic regulatory and oversight authorities have been constructive, and we continue to be encouraged by the progress being made toward the remaining approvals required for drilling." The Greenlandic government said the firm's application remains under consideration and that ordering immediate removal of the already-landed equipment "would not be proportionate."
Political Context: Reporting by The Guardian noted that Greenland Energy's board includes individuals linked to Trump, including a U.S. Navy veteran associated with the Golden Dome missile-defence initiative and the company's chairman, Larry Swets. Swets has rejected suggestions the venture amounts to "American annexation." The dispute comes amid repeated public calls from Mr. Trump for the United States to assert greater control over the semi-autonomous Danish territory; two days after Greenland's warning he posted an AI-generated image on Truth Social of himself looming over a Greenlandic village with the caption "Hello Greenland."
Next Steps: Greenlandic regulators will continue reviewing the permit application. If approvals are granted, exploratory drilling may proceed under Greenlandic oversight; if not, the company could be required to halt operations or remove equipment in accordance with local law.
Reporting referenced: The Guardian and Mediaite.
