Texas-based firm Greenland Energy claims it holds exploration permits to drill for billions of barrels of crude oil in Jameson Land, Greenland.
Regional officials in Nuuk flatly deny granting active authorizations, as reported by The Guardian.
Company representative Robert Price told residents in the hamlet of Ittoqqortoormiit on June 10 that equipment was being prepared for deployment.
The dispute emerges as Trump-linked figures push for American energy interests and territorial influence in Greenland.
No Active Permissions, Says Greenland Ministry
According to Greenland's resources ministry, no active permissions exist for exploration or preliminary preparations in the territory.
Greenland Energy aims to spend $60 million to sink two test wells in a protected Ramsar wetland area, acquiring a majority stake from UK-registered 80 Mile.
Greenland halted new oil exploration licenses in 2021 due to environmental concerns, though existing licenses remained valid.
Despite lacking explicit approval, Greenland Energy scheduled a vessel to transport 300 shipping containers of drilling equipment on September 12 to begin operations in October.
US Political Figures Linked to Venture
Key political figures in the US have openly linked the venture to broader geopolitical ambitions.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, serving as the US special envoy to Greenland, promoted the economic prospects during a media appearance.
"So," said Robert Price, energy industry veteran at Greenland Energy, "we have a project to drill for oil here."
Price outlined the preliminary logistics during the local gathering in Jameson Land.
"We have the permit to put the equipment on the land," said Price. "And then we've filed our permits – pending approval – to drill."
He later underscored the speculative resource estimates driving the project.
"I believe it's there," said Price. "The scientists believe that it's there.
But until we drill these wells, we don't know."
US officials have increasingly emphasized the strategic value of Greenland's natural resources and geographic location. "We need a deal.
Greenland needs a deal.
We could be – Greenland could be – exporting 2m barrels of oil a day right now," said Jeff Landry, Governor of Louisiana.
Landry suggested rapid development timelines for the prospective energy sector. "We could have those barrels on production within 10 months or so," said Landry.
During military deployments elsewhere, US leadership explicitly reiterated interest in acquiring the territory. "We do need Greenland, absolutely," said Donald Trump, President of the United States.
Local authorities in Greenland expressed strong opposition to foreign intervention and potential environmental disruption.
Environmental expert David Boertmann warned that industrial activity could damage fragile habitats housing muskoxen and rare bird species like barnacle geese and snowy owls.
"We are like the most peaceful place on Earth," said Avaaraq Olsen, Mayor of the Sermersooq region. "And we have always lived in peace and harmony.
And suddenly there is all these Americans trying to take over."
Greenlandic government leaders affirmed that regulatory boundaries will be strictly enforced regardless of public statements by corporate figures.
"The environmental consequences of oil exploration and extraction are too great," said an unnamed Greenland minister.
Government leadership confirmed that corporate claims do not override statutory approval processes. "Activities cannot be carried out until the necessary permits have been granted.
I must say again that the company's statements to the public do not always reflect the actual situation," said Múte B.
Egede, Minister for Mineral Resources of Greenland.
Egede noted public apprehension regarding the venture's high-profile American financial backers, which include Republican donor Kenneth Griffin, Sidus Space founder Carol Craig, and television personality Phil McGraw.
"I understand if citizens are concerned," said Egede.
Greenland Energy executive leadership subsequently addressed the miscommunication surrounding regulatory compliance. "Not that I know of," said Price when asked about executive ties to Trump.
Corporate officials later acknowledged that public statements had overstated their operational authority.
"Our enthusiasm for the project led us to communicate in a way that created confusion about who is responsible for what in Greenland – and that benefited no one, least of all the local communities closest to the project," said Larry Swets, Executive Chair of Greenland Energy.
Media personalities tied to the company promoted the project's economic potential directly to federal officials.
"We've heard Trump talk about buying Greenland and everybody laughed, but actually there is some real value to Greenland," said Phil McGraw, television host and founder of Envoy Media.
During an Oval Office encounter, presidential endorsement was extended to media partners supporting administrative initiatives. "Thank you very much, Phil," said Trump.
"I appreciate your support."
Greenland Energy filings confirm that operations remain entirely dependent on future approvals from the Greenlandic government.
