Craig on board of company hoping to drill for oil in Greenland
Craig on board of company hoping to drill for oil in Greenland
Jim Waymer, Florida TodayThu, August 13, 2026 at 7:51 PM UTC
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Carol Craig, founder of Craig Technologies and Sidus Space, is on the the board of directors of a Texas-based company with ties to President Donald Trump and a stalled plan to drill for potentially billions of barrels of oil in Greenland — a country Trump has said he wants to annex.
The controversial wildcat oil-drilling plan has drawn in big Trump supporters, including famous TV personality Phil McGraw ("Dr. Phil").
But Greenland Energy's drilling endeavor has recently raised ire on the Artic Island after the project's license holder and Britain-based joint venture partner, 80 Mile/White Flame Energy, put some drilling equipment there before the proper permits were in hand, according to Greenland's government. That delayed the process until 2028, the New York Times reported on Aug. 13. And the scaled-back drilling plans that resulted from the delay have caused a steep dip in the company's share price.
Citing climate-change concerns, Greenland suspended oil exploration several years ago. That was after having issued a valid license to drill, according to documents reviewed by the New York Times.
Craig, who is seeking re-election to the Canaveral Port Authority Commission, declined comment Thursday on that controversy.
"The board has been kept informed regarding the company's plans and developments," Craig said via email. "Given the ongoing regulatory process, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further."
In a June press release announcing her appointment to the board, the company's chairman touted how Craig's technical expertise would help its efforts in Greenland.
"We are pleased to welcome Carol Craig to the Greenland Energy Board of Directors," Larry Swets, Jr. said. "Carol brings an exceptional combination of entrepreneurial leadership, technical expertise, and public company governance experience. Her track record of building and scaling innovative technology companies — from founding Craig Technologies to taking Sidus Space public on the Nasdaq — along with her background in aerospace, defense, and engineering, will be invaluable as we advance our exploration program in Greenland's Jameson Land Basin."
The same press release quoted Craig as being excited about the Greenland project.
"I've spent my career betting on frontiers most people overlooked, first in defense, then in space," Craig said. "The Jameson Land Basin is that kind of opportunity: underexplored, onshore, and wide open for a team willing to do the hard work. I didn't join this Board to watch. I joined to help Greenland Energy prove what's there."
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Chairman brought Craig onboard
On June 11, Greenland Energy, a Texas-based oil exploration company focused on East Greenland's Jameson Land Basin, announced Craig's appointment to the company's Board of Directors, effective June 5.
"The Chairman of Greenland Energy introduced me to the Governance Committee when the company was looking to add a new independent director to replace an outgoing board member," Craig said, adding that she was introduced to him through her "micro-cap market connections (i.e. investment bank and public company contacts)."
"I was particularly interested in the opportunity because it brings together many areas that have been part of my career including technology, capital-intensive businesses, government and regulatory environments, and public-company leadership," Craig added.
Does Trump have a stake in Greenland?
There's no public evidence that Trump owns a stake in Greenland Energy but the company has recruited powerful Trump allies, including retaining Phil McGraw ("Dr. Phil") to make a documentary about its Greenland project. Some media reports also have pointed to other board and adviser relationships involving people linked to Trump administration initiatives, including Gov. Jeff Landry of Louisiana, who Trump appointed special envoy to Greenland.
Trump has repeatedly said that the United States should acquire Greenland for national security and other strategic reasons.
Who is Carol Craig?
Craig is founder and CEO of Craig Technologies, an aerospace and defense engineering, manufacturing and IT services firm based in Merritt Island/Cape Canaveral. She's also founder and CEO of Sidus Space, a space and defense technology company involved in satellite manufacturing and technology integration, AI-driven space-based data solutions.
Sidus Space has been involved in a Pentagon contracting program supporting Trump’s Golden Dome missile-defense initiative, similar to Israel's Iron Dome.
Modern oil exploration increasingly involves technologies Craig's companies are focused on: satellite imagery, remote sensing, AI analysis, and environmental monitoring.
Greenland could be sitting on as many as 13 billion barrels of oil, the company has told Greelanders, according to the New York Times, but locals have questions about, among other things, why they'd only get 15% of profits.
Waymer covers environment and Brevard County environment and government. Contact him at (321) 261-5901 and jwaymer@floridatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Craig on board of company hoping to drill for oil in Greenland
Source: “AOL Money”
