Greenland's government has issued a strong warning to a Texas-based oil company with ties to President Donald Trump after the firm arrived on the island with drilling equipment despite lacking required permits, The Guardian reported.

The company, Greenland Energy, was preparing to sink wells in remote Greenland without authorization from local authorities. Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark that assumed control over its own mineral and hydrocarbon resources under its 2009 self-rule agreement, has long attracted interest from energy and mining firms. The U.S. Geological Survey has assessed the Arctic region as holding significant undiscovered oil and gas reserves. Greenland's government issued a formal warning, written in Danish, stating: "All future logistical matters must be advised and approved by the mineral resources authority before they are carried out."

The dispute comes amid heightened tensions over Trump's expressed interest in acquiring Greenland. Earlier this month, Trump posted a Truth Social message featuring an image of himself looming over the territory and told Americans to "bet" that Greenland would be under American control before the end of the decade. Trump has previously described control of Greenland as "vital" to his proposed Golden Dome missile defense system. The United States has maintained a military presence on the island for decades through Pituffik Space Base, formerly Thule Air Base, in northwestern Greenland.

Greenland Energy maintains multiple connections to the president. Trump mega-donor Kenneth Griffin owns a 9 percent stake in the company, and one of its appointed directors previously worked on the Golden Dome plan. Chairman and largest shareholder Larry Swets is also described as part of Trump's circle.

Swets responded to Greenland's warning with what the report characterized as a semi-apology, stating: "Our enthusiasm for the project led us to communicate in a way that created confusion."

The company informed shareholders that "high-level meetings" had taken place between project leaders and Greenland's regulatory officials, describing the discussions as "constructive" despite the government's warning. "We continue to be encouraged by the progress being made toward the remaining approvals required for drilling," the company said in a shareholder message.

Greenland Energy is expected to ship 300 containers of drilling equipment from Canada to Greenland on September 12. Trump's Greenland envoy, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry (R), reportedly said that oil pumping could begin as early as next year. Greenland's government halted the issuance of new oil and gas exploration licenses in 2021, citing environmental and climate concerns, a policy backdrop that shapes any future drilling plans on the island.

The company has also retained Phil McGraw — better known as television personality "Dr. Phil" — who served on Trump's religious freedom commission, to produce a documentary series. The project, according to The Guardian, will "capture the mission of these modern-day wildcatters."