{
  "id": 360944,
  "title": "Why is Greenland warning a Trump-linked oil company against its secret drilling plans?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/why-is-greenland-warning-a-trump-linked-oil-company-against-its",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T07:42:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/world/world-greenland-trump-linked-oil-firm-drilling-without-permission-10824742/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A US oil firm, Greenland Energy, is set to commence unauthorised drilling operations in Greenland despite the lack of official approvals from the territory's authorities. This comes amid heightened public debate in the United States about American control over the autonomous Danish territory. The Guardian reports that equipment for oil drilling was recently brought to Greenland's eastern coast, prompting the government to issue a warning that no prior approval was provided. Any forthcoming shipments and logistical activities must first be cleared by the country's mineral resources authority. Just two days after this warning, Donald Trump posted a message on his social media platform Truth Social, featuring an image of him towering over a small Greenlandic village with the words \"hello Greenland.\" Greenland Energy, a Texas-based firm founded last year, claims that the region of Jameson Land could hold up to $1 trillion worth of crude oil. The firm intends to invest $60 million to drill two wells and determine if this oil is indeed present. Although Greenland had ceased issuing new oil licenses in 2021 due to environmental concerns, the British company 80 Mile already holds exploration rights in Jameson Land. Greenland Energy plans to acquire a majority share in the project by funding the exploration work, though it still requires final government approval before drilling can commence. The company has hired Phil McGraw, known as Dr Phil, who previously served on a Trump-appointed religious freedom panel. Additionally, Greenland Energy appointed a US navy veteran as a director, someone who is also involved in Trump's missile defence project, which he has termed vital. The chairman of the company, Larry Swets, denies any political motives behind the project, stating it has no connection to American plans to annex Greenland. However, in June, a company representative misled local residents at a community meeting in Jameson Land by claiming that the firm already had permission to bring in drilling equipment. This turned out to be false, leading to accusations of deceit. Despite this, the company has stated that recent high-level meetings with Greenland's regulators have been constructive and that it remains hopeful about obtaining the remaining approvals needed. The company now plans to drill only one well instead of two. This issue is sensitive as Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, but decisions on its natural resources are made by its own elected local government. Approving drilling could potentially violate environmental protections, given that the wells are reportedly planned within an area protected under the Ramsar convention. Refusing approval might give Trump an excuse to push for greater control over Greenland. For now, Greenland's government has decided not to demand the removal of the equipment already onshore, stating that the company's application for permission is still under review.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}