Greenland’s government says proposed drilling activities in eastern Greenland cannot go ahead during the 2026-2027 winter season, with an American investor in the project now pushing its targeted permitting timeline for winter 2027.
“The Government of Greenland assesses that White Flame Energy A/S’s proposed drilling activities in Nunap Qeqqa/Jameson Land cannot be carried out in the winter of 2026/2027,” the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The necessary regulatory process cannot be completed, and the necessary approvals cannot therefore be obtained before the planned start of drilling.”
U.S.-based Greenland Energy, an investor and operator in the project, said Wednesday it had received an update from its joint-venture partner, British firm 80 Mile Plc, which is leading the permitting process.
“Based on information received by 80 Mile from the Government of Greenland, the project’s complexity will require a more extensive, comprehensive review process,” Greenland Energy said.
The company said the partners are now working toward a targeted permitting timeline for winter 2027.
That marks a shift from an Aug. 6 letter to shareholders, when Greenland Energy described recent discussions with Greenlandic authorities as “constructive” and said Greenland Energy, 80 Mile and Greenlandic officials had agreed to focus on obtaining approval for one exploration well during the 2026-27 winter season.
At the time, Greenland Energy said it was “encouraged by the progress being made toward the remaining approvals required for drilling.”
White Flame Energy A/S, which is owned by 80 Mile, holds three oil exploration licences for the Nunap Qeqqa/Jameson Land project in eastern Greenland.
The drilling timeline is not the only aspect of Greenland Energy’s public description of the project that Naalakkersuisut, the Greenlandic government, has pushed back on.
On the Naalakkersuisut website for the Nunap Qeqqa/Jameson Land project, the government says Greenland Energy has “incorrectly informed the public” that it holds the exploration permits.
The government says White Flame Energy is the licence holder and describes Greenland Energy as “merely an investor in and operator of the project.”
When asked what statements from Greenland Energy prompted that clarification, a Ministery of Mineral Resources spokesperson said the department had no comment beyond what was already published on the project website.
Greenland Energy has not responded to requests for comment this week.
11-step process to possible approval
Before drilling can be authorized, the project must go through several regulatory steps, including environmental and social impact assessments and public consultations.
The Government of Greenland says its approval process has 11 steps and that the Nunap Qeqqa/Jameson Land project remains at step one.
White Flame Energy’s licences were issued before Greenland stopped granting new oil and gas exploration permits in 2021 and remain valid until 2028.
July warning
White Flame Energy drew a “strong warning” from Greenlandic authorities in July for moving drilling equipment this summer without a current approval.
The company had received permission to move a small amount of equipment from Tasiilaq to the project area in 2025, but was unable to complete the move before that approval expired in December because of bad weather.
White Flame applied again this year. While the application was being processed, and before approval had been granted, the equipment was moved from Tasiilaq to Nerlerit Inaat, an airport near the project area.
Greenland’s government said the equipment will stay stored at Nerlerit Inaat and cannot be transported further until the necessary approvals are given.
The government has previously said the presence of commercial quantities of oil at Nunap Qeqqa/Jameson Land has yet to be determined.
Comments, tips or story ideas? Contact Eilís at eilis.quinn(at)cbc.ca
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Yukon government offers incentives to switch to fossil fuels and rebates on electric bills, CBC News
Finland: Lapland among regions not in favour of wind power compensation for eastern Finland, Yle News
Greenland: Greenland issued “strong warning” this summer after drilling equipment moved despite expired approval, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Will the green transition be the new economic motor in the Arctic?, Eye on the Arctic
Russia: Fuel crisis grips Karelia in northern Russia, The Independent Barents Observr
Sweden: Electricity prices climb in Sweden as Russian gas pipeline goes offline, Radio Sweden
United States: Alaska’s Northwest Arctic Borough gets $2 million tribal energy grant, Alaska Public Media
