Member of Inatsisartut, Mette Arqe-Hammeken (N) wants to know what opportunities there would be for the inhabitants of Ittoqqortoormiit if the oil fields were exploited in Jameson Land near Ittoqqortoormiit.
She also wants to be sure of the benefits of making full use of the upcoming new airport in Ittoqqortoormiit.
White Flame Energy escaped through the eye of the needle
The former Naalakkersuisut, headed by IA, announced in July 2021 that they will 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 of which are 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 connection with the election for Inatsisartut. 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.
In the coalition agreement itself, there is absolutely nothing about what should happen to the bans that 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 and which has so far escaped having to pack up the plans and shut down, has begun to believe that they can still carry out future activities.
The company has indicated that they have plans for 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 VSB reports (assessments of effects on the environment and societal sustainability).
Once the two statements are submitted to Naalakkersuisut, they must be publicly consulted, and both processes are time-consuming and require meticulous work, so the company will probably have a busy year to be able 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 what opportunities the 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.
In this connection, Naaja H. Nathanielsen answers that the upcoming VSB statement, where the planned drilling work and the need for labor will be stated, as well as the distribution between local and called-in labor.
- The majority of 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 as well as for service functions, such as cleaning, catering and machine and truck drivers, replies Naalakkersuisoq for raw materials.
To the question of whether courses will be held for local workers, the member of Naalakkersuisut assesses that it is likely that local employees will be offered relevant courses and training.
