US company stokes Greenland tensions by unloading drilling gear
COPENHAGEN: A US energy exploration company has sparked an outcry by unloading drilling equipment without authorisation on the east coast of Greenland, the autonomous Danish territory coveted by US President Donald Trump.
The US energy exploration firm Greenland Energy has ignited controversy by unloading drilling machinery without permission on Greenland's eastern coast, a territory coveted by President Donald Trump. Based in Texas, the company claims it was only taking a preliminary step toward exploration, however, Danish authorities have warned the firm that all future logistics must be approved by the mineral resources authority.
Greenland Energy CEO Roderick McIllree admitted it was a mistake that would not be repeated. The company's chairman, Larry Swets, has been described as being close to Trump. Greenland, which manages its natural resources, declared a moratorium on oil exploration in 2021 due to climate change. However, Greenland Energy's exploration licenses, issued in 2015 and 2018, remain valid.
The company is awaiting full approval to begin drilling, but the Greenland government doubts they will be able to do so. The environmental and social impact studies required for approval have not yet been submitted. The region's indigenous people, who rely on the surrounding nature, have protested against the project.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
