Greenland Gives Strong Warning to Trump-Linked Oil Firm

Greenland Warns Over Trump-Linked Firm's Drilling Plans

Greenland’s government has issued a “strong warning” after equipment linked to an American oil firm with connections to Donald Trump was brought ashore for exploratory drilling, despite the company receiving no approval from local authorities.

The warning was issued after materials to prepare for drilling were landed in recent days on Greenland’s eastern coast, as the US president renewed threats to claim the Arctic territory.

The government said it had not granted permission for the equipment to be brought into the area. “All future logistical matters must be advised and approved by the mineral resources authority – before they are carried out,” it said in a statement.

Two days later, Trump made another post on Truth Social, showing himself looming over a Greenlandic village.

Oil plans for Jameson Land

The firm, Greenland Energy, is a Texas company set up last year. Its executives have said up to $1tn (£7.5tn) of crude could be located beneath the Jameson Land region and they plan to spend $60m to drill two wells to test the prospect.

Although Greenland stopped issuing new oil licences in 2021 on environmental grounds, exploration rights for Jameson Land were secured by a UK company called 80 Mile. Greenland Energy’s filings state it intends to take a majority stake in the project in return for funding the exploration, while still requiring government permission before drilling can begin.

The company has declined to respond to questions from the Guardian.

Documentary and links to Trump circle

Greenland Energy has said it has retained Phil McGraw, better known as Dr Phil, to make a documentary series intended to “capture the mission of these modern-day wildcatters”.

It has also appointed as a director a US navy veteran involved in Golden Dome, a missile defence plan that Trump has said requires controlling Greenland.

Larry Swets, the chair and a major shareholder, has indicated he believes the project is not linked to American annexation. He previously said the company’s communications had caused confusion after a representative made a false claim at a community meeting in June that it had permission to land drilling equipment.

In the following month, local residents in the sparsely populated region noticed a tug towing a barge towards shore and unloading a dozen containers. Greenland’s government said the operation was intended to move equipment onshore at Nunap Qeqqa in connection with planned exploratory drilling. Danwatch quoted the head of the shipping company as confirming the delivery was for Greenland Energy.

Approvals pending, drilling timetable set

In a letter to shareholders dated Thursday, Greenland Energy said “recent high-level meetings” with Greenlandic regulatory and oversight authorities had been constructive and that it remained encouraged about progress toward remaining approvals. The company said that, following those discussions, just one well would be drilled initially.

As a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, decisions on natural resources rest with Greenland’s elected local leadership. The government’s statement suggested it would not be proportionate to demand the equipment be removed, while noting that an application for permission remained under processing.

Some observers note that the planned wells appear to be within a conservation area protected under the Ramsar convention on wetlands. Greenland’s authorities now face a choice between granting permission and refusing it—an issue that also touches on the political context of Trump’s renewed Arctic claims.

A Greenland Energy representative said a vessel carrying its 300 containers of drilling equipment is due to leave Canada on 12 September, with well drilling expected to begin in October. Jeff Landry, the hard-right Louisiana governor serving as Trump’s Greenland envoy, has said Greenland could be pumping oil next year.

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8 August 2026

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