A Texas oil company with links to Donald Trump is claiming permission to drill for oil in Greenland, a claim denied by the territory's government. Greenland Energy says it can bring 300 shipping containers of drilling kit ashore to prove billions of barrels of crude lie beneath Jameson Land.
However, Greenland's resources ministry stated there are no active permissions for exploration or preparation activities. The dispute highlights tensions as Trump's allies push for an American takeover of the Danish territory.
Trump's special envoy, Louisiana governor Jeff Landry, said Greenland could export two million barrels of oil a day within ten months. Greenland Energy has chartered an Arctic vessel to transport equipment 4,000 km to the east coast, with drilling planned for October.
The licences for the Jameson Land area belong to UK-registered company 80 Mile. Greenland Energy has put up $60m for a majority stake. Company representative Robert Price told local residents crude worth £750bn could lie underground.
Mayor Avaaraq Olsen of the region covering Nuuk expressed fear the project aligns with Trump's designs. Greenland stopped issuing oil exploration licences in 2021 due to environmental concerns, but a few old licences remain valid.
