Trump-linked firm lands Greenland drilling gear without approval
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A Texas company called Greenland Energy, founded in 2025 and described as closely linked to US President Donald Trump, has shipped drilling supplies and equipment to Greenland’s east coast before obtaining local approval to proceed. The cargo was intended for Jameson Land, a remote area the company claims could hold oil worth as much as US$1 trillion, and where it wants to drill test wells. Greenland authorities said they had never approved the landing of the equipment, adding that the company’s previous permit had expired and a new application was still under review. Officials did not order the equipment removed, but said any further operations must be reported in advance and separately approved.
Key Points
- Residents in July saw a tug towing a barge to shore, where more than a dozen containers of drilling equipment were unloaded in eastern Greenland.
- Greenland’s mineral resources authority said the landing had not been approved, and that the company’s earlier permit had already expired.
- Greenland Energy says Jameson Land may contain oil worth up to US$1 trillion and plans to spend US$60 million drilling two wells.
- Greenland halted new oil licensing in 2021 on environmental grounds; the Jameson Land exploration right had previously been held by Britain’s 80 Mile.
- A company representative said a ship carrying 300 containers of drilling equipment was due to leave Canada on September 12, with drilling targeted for October.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the dispute shows how Arctic resource projects can become entangled with geopolitics, environmental policy and high-risk private capital. It also underlines how companies may try to move ahead operationally before final approvals are secured, creating legal and political uncertainty around major energy ventures.