JAMESON LAND — Greenland Energy, a Texas oil company formed in 2023 and listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange, announced plans in June 2024 to drill for oil in Jameson Land, Greenland. Greenland's resources ministry stated that no active permissions for exploration activity or preparations for these activities have been granted to the company.

Robert Price, a representative for Greenland Energy, addressed residents of Ittoqqortoormiit, a settlement of 300 people in Jameson Land, on June 10, 2024. Price said, "we have a project to drill for oil here." He added, "We have the permit to put the equipment on the land," and noted, "And then we've filed our permits – pending approval – to drill." The company has chartered an Arctic-going vessel to transport equipment to Greenland's eastern coast. Price stated the vessel would depart on September 12, 2024, and drilling would commence in October 2024. Halliburton, a Houston-based contractor, will manage logistics for Greenland Energy.

Múte B Egede, Greenland's minister for mineral resources, stated that activities cannot be carried out until the necessary permits have been granted. Egede said, "I must say again that the company's statements to the public do not always reflect the actual situation." Greenland ceased issuing new oil exploration licenses in 2021.

Greenland Energy plans to invest $60 million to drill two wells for a majority stake in the project. Price said, "I believe it's there. The scientists believe that it's there. But until we drill these wells, we don't know." Stock market filings from Greenland Energy confirm that its plans require permission from Greenland's government for drilling and for taking a stake in oil extraction.

The planned drilling site is within an area protected by the Ramsar Convention. David Boertmann, an expert on Greenland's birds, stated this conservation zone provides habitat for species such as barnacle geese, pink-footed geese, whimbrel, golden plover, Sabine's gull, snowy owl, and muskoxen.

Larry Swets, executive chair of Greenland Energy, acknowledged the confusion caused by earlier communications. Swets said, "Our enthusiasm for the project led us to communicate in a way that created confusion about who is responsible for what in Greenland – and that benefited no one, least of all the local communities closest to the project."