The Greenland authorities forced an American oil company linked to Donald Trump to postpone drilling wells in the Arctic territory, refuting claims by the U.S. president’s envoy that Americans could begin oil production as early as next year, UNN reports, citing The Guardian.
Details
Amid Trump’s imperialist threats, tensions are mounting on Greenland’s east coast after an oil company delivered drilling equipment ashore without permission in July, prompting a “stern warning” from the government.
Just one week before Greenland Energy planned to drill its first wells in the tundra, the government said on Thursday: “The necessary regulatory process cannot be completed and, consequently, the required permits cannot be obtained by the scheduled start of drilling.”
The statement said that during negotiations, Greenlandic officials expressed concern that the timeframe was too tight to assess the environmental and social impact.
The authorities will have to decide whether to allow drilling in a wetland inhabited by rare birds and musk oxen, on which local hunters depend. According to the government and the company, drilling may begin no earlier than winter 2027.
That is a far cry from the prediction made as recently as May by Jeff Landry, the far-right governor of Louisiana whom Trump appointed as his envoy to Greenland. After his visit, he said that the oil believed to lie beneath Greenland could ease the energy crisis caused by the U.S. attack on Iran.
Landry, whose stated goal is to “make Greenland part of the United States,” said: “We could start extracting these barrels in about 10 months.”
Robert Price, the CEO of Greenland Energy, who claims that $1 trillion worth of oil may lie beneath the remote Jameson Land region, said: “Greenland Energy remains committed to responsibly advancing its oil exploration program in accordance with the Greenlandic regulatory process and in full compliance.”
Price added: “We are using this time to refine our plans and deepen our relationships with local communities, strategic partners and relevant authorities.”
Trump again stated that Greenland should come under US control07.07.26, 18:54
Ever since Trump’s wealthy friend during his first term planted the idea of acquiring Greenland in his mind, the president has threatened to do so by buying it from Denmark, seizing it by military force or striking a deal.