Greenlandic authorities have forced a US oil company linked to Donald Trump to postpone drilling wells in the Arctic territory. The government stated that the necessary regulatory process could not be completed, and approvals could not be obtained before the planned start of drilling.
Officials expressed concerns during talks that the timetable was too tight to assess the environmental and social impact of the drilling. The authorities must decide whether to sanction drilling in a protected wetland that is home to rare birds and muskoxen.
Drilling could now commence in the winter of 2027 at the earliest, according to both the government and the company. This timeline differs from a prediction made in May by Jeff Landry, the US envoy to Greenland, who suggested oil could be in production within 10 months.
Greenland Energy's chief executive, Robert Price, stated that the company remains committed to advancing its oil exploration programme responsibly and in accordance with Greenland's regulatory process. He added that the company would use the time to refine plans and deepen relationships with local communities and authorities.