Archive · 12 Aug 2026
US Energy Firm Unloads Drilling Equipment in Greenland Without Permit
A company from the United States brought drilling equipment to Greenland without asking permission first.
Greenland is a huge Arctic island that belongs to Denmark, and US President Donald Trump wants to control it.
The company, called Greenland Energy, says this was just a first step toward exploring for oil.
Greenland's government was not happy and told the company it must get approval before doing anything else.
More than 100 people, out of the 325 residents of the village of Ittoqqortoormiit, protested against the drilling plans.
The company's managing director said unloading the equipment without permission was a mistake that will not happen again.
Scientists at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland think the area might hold oil equal to about 2.35 billion barrels.
Greenland's foreign minister, Mute Egede, says it is unlikely the company can drill this autumn.
Texas-based Greenland Energy unloaded drilling equipment last month without authorization at Nunap Qeqqa (Jameson Land) on Greenland's east coast.
Greenland's government issued a 'strong warning' and said all future logistical arrangements must be notified to and approved by the mineral resources authority.
The equipment is stored in a hangar at Nerlerit Inaat Airport, near the village of Ittoqqortoormiit.
More than 100 of Ittoqqortoormiit's 325 inhabitants demonstrated in mid-July against the drilling project.
Greenland Energy's chairman, Larry Swets, has been described as close to US President Donald Trump, who wants to control Greenland.
- Who
- Greenland Energy, a Texas-based US energy exploration company whose chairman Larry Swets has been described as close to President Donald Trump.
- What
- The company unloaded drilling equipment without authorisation on Greenland's east coast, drawing a 'strong warning' from the Greenland government.
- When
- The equipment was unloaded last month; residents demonstrated in mid-July and the government issued its warning last month.
- Where
- Nunap Qeqqa (Jameson Land) on the east coast of Greenland; the equipment is stored at Nerlerit Inaat Airport near the village of Ittoqqortoormiit.
- Why
- As a preliminary step toward oil exploration under licences issued in 2015 and 2018, amid geopolitical tensions and Trump's stated wish to control the Arctic island.
Greenland Energy and Exploration Interests
Greenland Government and Local Residents
Unauthorised unloading of equipment
Greenland Energy and Exploration Interests
The company says it believed authorisation was only required within the oil exploration licence area, and managing director Roderick McIllree called it 'a mistake on our part, a mistake that will not be repeated.'
Greenland Government and Local Residents
The Greenland government issued a 'strong warning' and said all future logistical arrangements must be notified to and approved by the mineral resources authority before they are carried out.
Connection to President Trump
Greenland Energy and Exploration Interests
Greenland Energy insists it has no connection to the US president's territorial ambitions in Greenland.
Greenland Government and Local Residents
Chairman Larry Swets has been described as close to Trump, and researcher Ulrik Pram Gad says this perceived connection creates 'anxiety and tensions' in Greenland.
Prospects for Arctic drilling
Greenland Energy and Exploration Interests
Greenland Energy says it is encouraged by progress toward the remaining approvals required for drilling and hopes to determine the quality of potential deposits.
Greenland Government and Local Residents
Environmental and social impact studies have not been submitted, residents depend on the surrounding nature for hunting and fishing, and Foreign Minister Mute Egede does not consider it realistic that drilling can happen this autumn.
- Company
- Greenland Energy (Texas, US)
- Managing director
- Roderick McIllree
- Chairman
- Larry Swets
- Location
- Nunap Qeqqa (Jameson Land), east coast of Greenland
- Equipment storage
- Nerlerit Inaat Airport, near Ittoqqortoormiit
- Estimated oil resources
- Up to 2.35 billion barrels (GEUS)
- Exploration licences
- Issued in 2015 and 2018; remain valid after the 2021 oil moratorium
- Local protest
- More than 100 of 325 Ittoqqortoormiit residents demonstrated in mid-July