I always have problems with blaming people for not having psychic abilities. OK, the Danes didn’t go for Point Barrow. So they subsequently found oil. Hindsight is 20/20. You have to make decisions based on what you know, not what may be known from now till the end of time. Washington Post. ‘nuff said.
I think you misread it.
The article said the Danes passed and after they passed on the purchase/trade, oil was discovered in the district that was offered up for trade.