Virtual Reality as a Strategic Communication Medium for Enhancing Public Understanding of Upstream Oil and Gas Operations
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
The increasing complexity of upstream oil and gas operations presents significant communication challenges in improving public understanding and stakeholder engagement. Conventional communication approaches, such as brochures, presentations, and public meetings, often fail to effectively convey technical information and environmental management practices to nontechnical audiences. Virtual Reality (VR) has emerged as an innovative communication technology capable of providing immersive and interactive experiences that enhance public comprehension of complex industrial activities. This study aims to examine the strategic role of VR as a communication medium for enhancing public understanding of upstream oil and gas operations. A qualitative research approach was employed using a literature review method. Relevant literature published between 2015 and 2025 was collected from Scopus, ScienceDirect, IEEE Xplore, SpringerLink, Taylor & Francis Online, Emerald Insight, and Google Scholar. The selected publications were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns regarding the communication functions, opportunities, and implementation challenges of VR. The findings reveal three major themes. First, VR enhances public understanding by transforming complex technical information into immersive communication experiences that facilitate experiential learning. Second, VR strengthens stakeholder engagement and public trust by promoting transparency, reducing information asymmetry, and supporting interactive communication between industrial organizations and surrounding communities. Third, successful VR implementation requires strategic investment, technological infrastructure, institutional readiness, and interdisciplinary collaboration despite its considerable long term communication benefits.
Downloads
Article Details
Section
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- ShareAlike — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation .
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
How to Cite
References
Adami, P., Rodrigues, P. B., Woods, P. J., Becerik-Gerber, B., Soibelman, L., Copur-Gencturk, Y., & Lucas, G. (2021). Effectiveness of VR-based training on improving construction workers’ knowledge, skills, and safety behavior in robotic teleoperation. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2021.101431
Afzal, M., & Shafiq, M. T. (2021). Evaluating 4d‐bim and vr for effective safety communication and training: A case study of multilingual construction job‐site crew. Buildings, 11(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11080319
Aspers, P., & Corte, U. (2019). What is Qualitative in Qualitative Research. Qualitative Sociology, 42(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11133-019-9413-7
Ban, Y., Inazawa, M., Kato, C., & Warisawa, S. (2023). VR communication simulation with scripted dialog elicits HPA axis stress. Frontiers in Virtual Reality, 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/frvir.2023.1302720
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Busetto, L., Wick, W., & Gumbinger, C. (2020). How to use and assess qualitative research methods. In Neurological Research and Practice (Vol. 2, Number 1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42466-020-00059-z
Chang, E., Lee, Y., Billinghurst, M., & Yoo, B. (2024). Efficient VR-AR communication method using virtual replicas in XR remote collaboration. International Journal of Human Computer Studies, 190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2024.103304
Damianova, N., & Berrezueta-Guzman, S. (2025). Serious Games Supported by Virtual Reality—Literature Review. In IEEE Access (Vol. 13). https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3544022
Dongo, D. F., & Relvas, S. (2025). Evaluating the role of the oil and gas industry in energy transition in oil-producing countries: A systematic literature review. In Energy Research and Social Science (Vol. 120). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2024.103905
Dos Santos, I. H. F., Soares, L. P., Carvalho, F., & Raposo, A. (2012). A Collaborative Virtual Reality Oil and Gas Workflow. International Journal of Virtual Reality, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.20870/ijvr.2012.11.1.2832
Duncan, R. (2015). The Potential Contribution of Augmented and Virtual Reality to the Oil and Gas Industry. International Journal Of Management and Applied Research, 2(3). https://doi.org/10.18646/2056.23.15-011
Ferdani, D., Fanini, B., Piccioli, M. C., Carboni, F., & Vigliarolo, P. (2020). 3D reconstruction and validation of historical background for immersive VR applications and games: The case study of the Forum of Augustus in Rome. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2019.12.004
Ferguson, S., Smith-Mutegi, D., & Cook-Snell, B. (2025). Exploring VR User Experiences. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 30(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-025-09820-2
Johansson, M., & Roupé, M. (2024). Real-world applications of BIM and immersive VR in construction. Automation in Construction, 158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2023.105233
Kokkinos, N. C., Mitropoulos, A. C., & Chalaris, M. (2022). The Contribution of Virtual Reality in Awareness and Preparedness of Oil and Gas Professionals. Journal of Engineering Science and Technology Review, 15(5). https://doi.org/10.25103/jestr.155.02
Kougioumtzidis, G., Poulkov, V. K., Lazaridis, P. I., & Zaharis, Z. D. (2025). Deep Reinforcement Learning-Based Resource Allocation for QoE Enhancement in Wireless VR Communications. IEEE Access, 13. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3538546
Lee, S. M., & Wu, J. G. (2024). Preparing teachers for the future: Microteaching in the immersive VR environment. ReCALL, 36(3). https://doi.org/10.1017/S0958344024000089
Li, P., Zhang, X., Hu, X., Xu, B., & Zhang, J. (2025). Theoretical model and practical analysis of immersive industrial design education based on virtual reality technology. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 35(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-024-09946-x
Liao, C. H. (2024). Exploring perceived learning effectiveness in virtual reality health communication through the lens of construal level theory. BMC Public Health, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19827-6
Menin, A., Torchelsen, R., & Nedel, L. (2018). An Analysis of VR Technology Used in Immersive Simulations with a Serious Game Perspective. In IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications (Vol. 38, Number 2). https://doi.org/10.1109/MCG.2018.021951633
Mohammadpoor, M., & Torabi, F. (2020). Big Data analytics in oil and gas industry: An emerging trend. In Petroleum (Vol. 6, Number 4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petlm.2018.11.001
Morgunova, M., & Shaton, K. (2022). The role of incumbents in energy transitions: Investigating the perceptions and strategies of the oil and gas industry. Energy Research and Social Science, 89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2022.102573
Muda, A. S., Misnan, M. F., Sam, R., & Aziz, M. A. A. (2024). Advancing Safety in the Oil and Gas Infrastructure via Virtual Reality Technology: A Comprehensive Exploration of Hazard Simulation and Visualisations. International Journal of Integrated Engineering, 16(9). https://doi.org/10.30880/ijie.2024.16.09.012
Naeem, M., Ozuem, W., Howell, K., & Ranfagni, S. (2023). A Step-by-Step Process of Thematic Analysis to Develop a Conceptual Model in Qualitative Research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231205789
Nordin, S. M., Mokhtar, N. I., Priyadi, U., Tarjo, T., Wan Ahmad, W. F., & Ahmad Rizal, A. R. (2023). Communicating Sustainable Brand Equity in a High Carbon Footprint and High-Risk Sector: Comparing Malaysia and Indonesia Oil and Gas Industry. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15107738
Rahayu, S. A. P., Puteri, D. S., & Pratomo, N. B. A. (2025). Green Investment Effect on Upstream Oil and Gas Activities in Indonesia. Arena Hukum, 18(3). https://doi.org/10.21776/ub.arenahukum2025.01803.3
Seong, S., & Park, J. (2024). Tracking motion sickness in dynamic VR environments with EDA signals. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2023.103543
Sircar, A., Yadav, K., Rayavarapu, K., Bist, N., & Oza, H. (2021). Application of machine learning and artificial intelligence in oil and gas industry. In Petroleum Research (Vol. 6, Number 4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptlrs.2021.05.009
Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039
Stella Emeka-Okoli, Tochukwu Chinwuba Nwankwo, Christiana Adanma Otonnah, & Ekene Ezinwa Nwankwo. (2024). Communication strategies for effective CSR and stakeholder engagement in the oil & gas industry: A conceptual analysis. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 21(3). https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.21.3.0663
Subadi, S. (2021). Land Procurement for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities in Indonesia. Brawijaya Law Journal, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.21776/ub.blj.2021.008.01.03
Torro, O., & Pirkkalainen, H. (2023). Design principles for social exchange in social virtual reality-enabled virtual teams. Virtual Reality, 27(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-023-00832-w
Ververidis, D., Migkotzidis, P., Nikolaidis, E., Anastasovitis, E., Papazoglou Chalikias, A., Nikolopoulos, S., & Kompatsiaris, I. (2022). An authoring tool for democratizing the creation of high-quality VR experiences. Virtual Reality, 26(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-021-00541-2
Wu, H., Wang, Y., Qiu, J., Liu, J., & Zhang, X. (Luke). (2019). User-defined gesture interaction for immersive VR shopping applications. Behaviour and Information Technology, 38(7). https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2018.1552313
Xiao, Y., & Watson, M. (2019). Guidance on Conducting a Systematic Literature Review. In Journal of Planning Education and Research (Vol. 39, Number 1). https://doi.org/10.1177/0739456X17723971
Zara, J., Nordin, S. M., & Isha, A. S. N. (2023). Influence of communication determinants on safety commitment in a high-risk workplace: a systematic literature review of four communication dimensions. In Frontiers in Public Health (Vol. 11). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1225995