Member of Inatsisartut, Mette Arqe-Hammeken (N) wants to know what opportunities there would be for the residents of Ittoqqqortoormiit if the oil fields were exploited in Jameson Land near Ittoqqortoormiit.
She also wants to be sure of what benefits there would be from fully utilizing the upcoming new airport in Ittoqqortoormiit.
White Flame Energy slipped through the eye of the needle
The former Greenland Government, led by IA, announced in July 2021 that they would stop issuing new oil and gas exploration licenses, thereby stopping future exploration in Greenland.
But White Flame Energy already had three licenses at three locations, all in Jameson Land, and unless something else happens, the company's licenses will expire in 2028.
But 2025 is the year when everything turned upside down in the Inatsisartut election. IA lost to Demokraatit as the country's largest party. Demokraatit is also known for not being a supporter of Inuit Ataqatigiit's restrictive prohibition policy when it comes to activities within raw materials and oil and gas activities.
The coalition agreement itself does not specifically state what should happen with the bans that the IA has been at the forefront of in the previous election period.
But there are indications that the oil exploration company with the three licenses, which has so far escaped having to wrap up its plans and shut down, is beginning to believe that they can still carry out future activities.
The company has announced that it plans to drill two oil exploration wells in Jameson Land in the winter of 2026-2027.
2026 will be a busy year for the company
Prior to the two drillings, the company must prepare an EIA and SIA reports (environmental and social sustainability impact assessments).
Once the two reports have been submitted to the Government of Greenland, they will be subject to public consultation, and both processes are time-consuming and require meticulous work, so the company will probably have a busy year to realize its plans for oil exploration drilling in the winter of 2026/2027.
Mette has seen opportunities for local gains
In her Section 37 question, Mette Arqe-Hammeken has focused on the opportunities that locals in Ittoqqortoormiit have to work on Jameson Land, and in this connection she has asked Naalakkersuisut whether courses will be held for local workers.
Naaja H. Nathanielsen responds in this regard that the upcoming SIA report will state the planned drilling work and the need for labor, as well as the distribution between local and hired labor.
- The majority of the work in connection with oil exploration drilling is highly specialized. However, it must be expected that there will also be a need for personnel with a craft background and for service functions, such as cleaning, catering, and machine and forklift drivers, Naalakkersuisoq responds for raw materials.
Regarding the question of whether courses will be held for local workers, the member of the Government of Greenland assesses that it is likely that local employees will be offered relevant courses and training.
