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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Energy & Infrastructure

Trump-linked firm plans Greenland oil drilling; authorities issue warning

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A US oil company linked to Donald Trump is preparing to drill for oil in Greenland without government approval.
  • The company, Greenland Energy, claims potential oil reserves worth $1 trillion in an area where exploration was previously halted due to environmental concerns.
  • Greenland's government has issued a stern warning, stating that all future operations require prior notification and approval.

A US oil company with ties to former President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to drill for oil in a remote area of Greenland, despite lacking official permission from the local government. The company, Greenland Energy, claims that the Jameson Land area may hold up to $1 trillion in crude oil and plans to drill two wells to verify the reserves.

All future logistical operations must be notified in advance and approved by the mineral resources management authority before execution.

— Greenlandic GovernmentIn a statement issued after the company's actions, the Greenlandic government warned that all future operations require prior approval.

This move has prompted a "stern warning" from the Greenlandic government, which emphasized that no future logistical operations will be permitted without prior notification and approval from the mineral resources authority. The company's plans come despite Greenland's decision in 2021 to suspend new oil exploration licenses due to environmental considerations. However, UK firm "80 Mile" had previously secured exploration rights for Jameson Land.

We are enthusiastic about this project, which has led to communication confusion.

— Larry SwetsGreenland Energy's chairman explained the previous misstatement about obtaining permission for drilling equipment.

Greenland Energy's chairman, Larry Swets, has stated the project is "unrelated to any US annexation efforts." A company representative had previously misstated that permission for drilling equipment had been obtained. Swets later attributed this to "communication confusion" stemming from the project team's "enthusiasm." Local residents observed a tugboat and barge delivering over a dozen containers to the shore, which the government confirmed were for planned oil exploration drilling.

This move is intended to land equipment at Jameson Land to support planned oil exploration drilling.

— Greenlandic GovernmentThe government confirmed the purpose of the containers delivered to the shore.

Despite the controversy, Greenland Energy remains optimistic about obtaining the remaining permits. The company's shareholders were informed of constructive meetings with Greenlandic regulatory authorities. Initial plans now involve drilling only one well. A ship carrying drilling equipment is expected to depart from Canada on September 12, with drilling operations slated to begin in October. A special envoy for Greenland from Louisiana, Jeff Landry, suggested that Greenland could be producing oil as early as next year.

We are continuously optimistic about the progress in obtaining the remaining permits for drilling.

— Greenland EnergyIn a letter to shareholders, the company expressed optimism about securing necessary approvals.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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