The Greenland government has issued a strong warning to the Texas-based company Greenland Energy after it brought drilling equipment ashore without the required approval. The government stated that the Department of Industry and Minerals found the licensee did not have the necessary approvals for the action.
Greenland Energy representative Paul Price claimed the company has permission to bring equipment to land and has submitted drilling applications. However, the Greenland government and other sources state that no such permission has been granted.
Múte B. Egede, the Greenland Minister of Mineral Resources, said the company's public statements do not always reflect the actual situation.
Greenland Energy's chair and major shareholder, Larry Swets, attributed the discrepancy to communication issues, stating, 'Our enthusiasm for the project led us to communicate in a way that created confusion.'
The company's project involves drilling two exploratory wells in the Jameson Land region.
Initial number of wells planned for drilling following discussions with authorities
Project scope and logistics
Greenland Energy announced plans to spend $60 million to drill exploratory wells. Executives at the Texas-based company claim that $1 trillion in crude oil may lie beneath the Jameson Land region.
A representative for the company stated that a vessel carrying 300 shipping containers of drilling equipment is scheduled to set sail from Canada on 12 September, with plans to begin sinking wells in October.
The Danish investigative outlet Danwatch quoted the head of a shipping company as confirming the delivery was intended for Greenland Energy. In July, a tugboat was seen towing a barge with at least 15 shipping containers toward the port of Nerlerit Inaat, according to Danwatch.
The planned drilling wells appear to fall within a conservation area protected by the Ramsar convention on wetlands. Greenland stopped issuing new oil licenses in 2021 on environmental grounds.
Political and corporate connections
Greenland Energy is a Texas-based company founded last year with links to Donald Trump. According to Lukas Wahden, an associate researcher at George Washington University's Russia Program, Larry Swets has privileged access to Donald Trump's inner circle, though it is a private company.
The company has appointed Carol Craig, a former US Navy officer, to its board of directors. It has also retained Phil McGraw, known as Dr Phil, to produce a documentary series about the mission.
The project involves exploration rights in Jameson Land, where the UK company 80 Mile has secured rights. White Flame Energy, a subsidiary of 80 Mile Plc, holds exploration rights to the region.
Donald Trump has stated that controlling Greenland is 'vital' to the Golden Dome missile defense plan. In January 2025, Trump refused to rule out military force to take control of Greenland, stating it was needed 'for national security purposes.' He has previously suggested the US could 'buy' or take control of the territory.
Larry Swets stated that the oil project is 'not related to American annexation.'
