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Greenland Authority Warns Trump-linked Firm Over Unauthorized Drilling

8/11/2026

Center

Greenland Energy Warned

Greenland’s mineral resources authority warned Texas-based Greenland Energy in early August 2026 for moving drilling equipment onto Jameson Land without a permit.
Greenland Energy’s chairman Larry Swets Jr. is described as part of President Donald Trump’s inner circle.
Regulators note the equipment’s prior permit expired and unrenewed, while high-level talks are advancing approvals.
$60 million is allocated for exploratory drilling, with the company now planning a single well.

Left

Greenland Energy Warned

Greenland’s mineral resources authority warned Texas-based Greenland Energy for moving drilling equipment onto Jameson Land without a permit.
The placement in a Ramsar-protected wetland sparked environmental and sovereignty concerns, with officials deeming immediate removal disproportionate while the permit is reviewed.
A vessel with 300 containers will leave Canada on 12 September, with drilling set for October.
$60 million will fund two exploratory wells, directly challenging Greenland’s 2021 oil-licence moratorium.

Blindspot

The mineral resources authority said the drilling equipment was moved onto Jameson Land inside a Ramsar-protected wetland, prompting environmental and sovereignty concerns.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

Since the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge debate began in 1977 and saw Congress debate drilling legislation in 2008, the United States has repeatedly faced lawsuits and permit delays. Greenland’s 2021 oil-licence moratorium echoes that pattern, and in August 2026 the Greenland Authority fined Greenland Energy, led by Larry Swets Jr., for moving $60 million of equipment onto a protected wetland without a renewed permit.

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Greenland Energy Warned

Greenland’s mineral resources authority warned Texas-based Greenland Energy in early August 2026 for moving drilling equipment onto Jameson Land without a permit.
Greenland Energy’s chairman Larry Swets Jr. is described as part of President Donald Trump’s inner circle.
Regulators note the equipment’s prior permit expired and unrenewed, while high-level talks are advancing approvals.
$60 million is allocated for exploratory drilling, with the company now planning a single well.

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