An Eco-Theological Perspective on Oil and Gas Exploration in Papua, Indonesia
Keywords:
Ecotheology, Oil and Gas Exploration, Environmental Ethics, Indigenous Communities
Abstract
This study examines oil and gas exploration and natural gas processing activities in the Sorong Raya region, Southwest Papua, Indonesia, particularly in Salawati Basin and Kasim Marine Terminal. The research explores how eco-theological perspectives derived from Islam, Christianity, and indigenous Papuan ecological values contribute to balancing environmental sustainability, economic welfare, and industrial development in one of Indonesia’s strategic energy regions. Previous studies on extractive industries in Papua have mainly emphasized political economy, environmental conflict, and resource governance, while limited attention has been given to ecotheology as an ethical framework integrating religious morality, indigenous ecological wisdom, and sustainable development. This study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach involving 15 participants, including indigenous Papuan communities, oil/gas workers, government officials, religious leaders, and civil society representatives. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, field observations, and document analysis. The findings show that the oil and gas sector contributes to regional income, employment, infrastructure, education, and local economic growth. However, respondents also identified environmental challenges, including marine pollution, ecological degradation, unequal economic distribution, and reduced customary access to natural resources. The study concludes that eco-theological and indigenous ecological values provide important ethical foundations for participatory, transparent, and culturally inclusive environmental governance in Sorong Raya.
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References
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Kuhn, B. (2016). Collaborative Governance for Sustainable Development in China. Open Journal of Political Science, 06(04), 433–453. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojps.2016.64037
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Miharja, D. K. (2025). Sundanese Community Wisdom : Strengthening Local Spirituality in Responding to The Global Ecological Crisis. Empirisma: Jurnal Pemikiran Dan Kebudayaan Islam, 34(2), 379–396. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.30762/empirisma.v33i1
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Subair, M., Syamsurijal, Rismawidiawati, Idham, Muslim, A., & Nur, M. (2024). Multilingualism, Technology, and Religious Moderation in Indonesian Islamic Boarding Schools. International Journal of Language Education, 8(3), 550–563. https://doi.org/10.26858/ijole.v8i3.66498
Sudarman. (2021). Contribution of level of education , employment , and ethnicity on the integration of Muslims and Christians in Central Lampung. IJIMS: Indonesian Journal of Islam and Muslim Societies, 11(2), 243–270. https://doi.org/10.18326/ijims.v11i2.243-270
Suhartanti, P. D. (2026). From Villages to Sustainable Energy Transition : Community-Based Financing Model through Village- Owned Enterprises ( Bumdes ). IJE: Indonesian Journal of Energy, 9(1), 56–71. https://doi.org/doi.org/10.33116/ije.v9i1.283
Uz, R., & Uzun, A. (2018). The Influence of Blended Learning Environment on Self-Regulated and Self-Directed Learning Skills of Learners. European Journal of Educational Research, 7(4), 877–886. https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.7.4.877
Wade, C. (2022). Toward an Eco-Cosmopolitalism: Wendell Berry and Ecowomanism in Conversation (Issue August) [LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO].
Xuemei, Bai; Giles B. Sioen, Şiir Kilkiş, Timon McPhearson, Zeenat Niazi, Jago Dodson, Tri Atmaja, Kensuke Fukushi, Niki Frantzeskaki, Harini Nagendra, Wanyu Shih, Thomas Elmqvist, Tischa Muñoz-Erickson, Xiangzheng Deng, Burak Güneralp, S. L. N. Z. (2025). Reimagining urban science for globalsustainability: Five strategic research areas. Globally Sustainability, 8(e38), 1–17. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1017/sus.2025.10025
Ansar, L., & Podu, S. (2026). A l-Adalah : Jurnal Hukum dan Politik Islam Reconstruction of the Authority of the Papuan People ’ s Assembly Based on the Principles of Siyasah Syar ’ iyyah : A Study of the Function of Cultural Representation. Al-Adalah: Jurnal Hukum Dan Politik Islam, 11(1), 229–241. https://jurnal.iain-bone.ac.id/index.php/aladalah/article/view/10900/3092
Asep, S. R. (2026). Ecotheology and the Spirit of Ecology: A Comparative Study of World Religious and the Baduy Indigenous Tradition. Abrahamic Religions: Jurnal Studi Agama-Agama, 6(1), 97–113. https://doi.org/10.22373/arj.v6i1.33933
Baba, S., & Fortin-Lefebvre, E. (2021). Indigenous Entrepreneurship, Marginal Ontologies, and Sustainable Development Goals. May, 542–553. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95873-6_152
Basri, S., Adnan, Y., Widiastuty, L., Syamsul, M. A., & Indar, I. (2025). Islamic Environmental Ethics : A Cultural Framework for Sustainable Resource Management and Global Ecological Stewardship Etika Lingkungan Hidup Islam : Kerangka Kerja Budaya untuk Pengelolaan Sumber Daya Berkelanjutan dan Penatalayanan Ekologi Global Div. Diversity: Disease Preventive of Research Integrity, 5(2), 86–93. https://doi.org/10.24252/diversity.v5i2.52342
Brilian, V. A., Adityatama, D. W., Mukti, A. W., & Asy, M. R. A. (2025). Geothermal Captive Use for Powering Mining Sites : Worldwide Experience and the Potential and Challenges for Implementation in Indonesia. IJE, 8(2), 129–147. https://doi.org/doi.org/10.33116/ije.v8i2.254
Butkouskaya, V., Llonch-Andreu, J., & Alarcón-del-Amo, M. del C. (2024). Market orientation, integrated marketing communications, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) performance: A comparison between developed and developing economies. European Research on Management and Business Economics, 30(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iedeen.2024.100260
Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mix-methods Approaches (Third Edit). SAGE Publications Asia-Pacific Pte. Ltd.
delos Reyes, R. A. S., Ebron, J. P. G., Gamez, J. N., Amores, C. C., & Sudaprasert, M. R. C. (2025). Semiotic insights on the socio-cultural influence of the San Sebastian Church architectural facade, Lumban, Laguna, Philippines. Social Sciences and Humanities Open, 11(February), 101330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101330
Eliyanto, E., Adesta, E., & Fatimah, S. (2021). Islamic Education Teachersâ€TM Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK): A Study In Indonesia. Edukasia Islamika, 6(2), 144–163. https://doi.org/10.28918/jei.v6i2.4245
Estriyanto, Y., & Maret, U. S. (2025). Optimizing the Special Job Placement Unit for the Effective Absorption of Vocational High School Graduates. Scaffolding, 7(1), 53–70. https://doi.org/10.37680/scaffolding.v7i1.6570
Fitria, T. N. (2025). Women in Political Leadership: An Islamic Economic Perspective on Women’s Empowerment, Gender Justice, and Welfare of the Ummah in Achieving Socio-Economic Prosperity Tira Nur Fitria. JIEI: Jurnal Ilmiah Ekonomi Islam, 11(2), 29–49. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.29040/jiei.v11i02.17012
Hairani, E. ; S. C. (2025). Internalization of Islamic Values as the Foundation of Students’ Digital Ethics: A Case Study of Character Education at All Fajar Islamic Senior High School. Jurnal Asy-Syukuriyyah, 26(2), 227–247. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.36769/asy.v26i2.911
Hendinata, L. K., Prilia, R., Fikri, A. I. R., Suprapto, M. A., & Nur, A. (2024). Evaluation of the Energy Performance of Transparent Photovoltaics for Building Windows in Tropical Climates. IJE: Indonesian Journal of Energy, 7(2), 66–77. https://doi.org/doi.org/10.33116/ije.v7i2.192
Ishtiaq, M. (2019). Book Review Creswell , J . W . ( 2014 ). Research Design : Qualitative , Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches ( 4th ed .). Thousand Oaks , CA : Sage. English Language Teaching, 12(5), 40–41. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v12n5p40
Junaidin. (2025). Problem-Based Learning Strategy Based on Local Wisdom in PAI Learning in Bima. FiTUA : JURNAL STUDI ISLAM, 6(June), 115–126. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.47625/fitua.v6i1.1080
Khusnul Khotimah, D. F., & Hafidz, H. (2024). Islamic character education through learning Aqidah Akhlak: Study on 7th grade students at SMP Muhammadiyah 8 Surakarta. Proceedings of the International Conference of Islamic Education, 2(2), 263–274. https://jurnal.iimsurakarta.ac.id/index.php/icie/article/view/496/354
Komariah, N., Syamsuddin, I. P., Rasyad, M., & Fajar, A. (2025). Analysis of Young Entrepreneurs Behavior in Bima City from the Perspective of Islamic Business Ethics. FiTUA: Jurnal Studi Islam, 6(June), 101–114. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.47625/fitua.v6i1.1025
Kuhn, B. (2016). Collaborative Governance for Sustainable Development in China. Open Journal of Political Science, 06(04), 433–453. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojps.2016.64037
Lestari, E. D., Abd Hamid, N., Shamsuddin, R., Kurniasari, F., & Yaacob, Z. (2024). Investigating the factors of SMEs’ business resilience in the post-pandemic crisis of COVID-19 with technology adoption as a quasi-moderator: a multigroup analysis of Indonesian and Malaysian SMEs. Cogent Business and Management, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2023.2301135
Mamboai, H., Demmalino, E. B., Muhammad, S., & Iyai, D. A. (2025). Oil and Gas Industry Investment and Its Implications for Tenurial Conflict : A Study on Land Disputes in Teluk Bintuni Regency , West Papua Province. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, Icosend, 389–404. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-565-2
Mamboai, H., Demmalino, E. B., Muhammad, S., & Iyai, D. A. (2026). Oil and Gas Industry Investment and Its Implications for Tenurial Conflict: A Study on Land Disputes in Teluk Bintuni Regency, West Papua Province BT - Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Social Environment Diversity (ICOSEND 2025). Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, 389–404. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-565-2_49
Manshur, U., & Munif, M. (2023). Harmony within Diversity : The Internalization of Religious Moderation as a Pillar in Sustaining National Identity. Jurnal Islam Nusantara, 07(1), 56–69.
Miharja, D. K. (2025). Sundanese Community Wisdom : Strengthening Local Spirituality in Responding to The Global Ecological Crisis. Empirisma: Jurnal Pemikiran Dan Kebudayaan Islam, 34(2), 379–396. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.30762/empirisma.v33i1
Naranon, P., & Mohamad, M. (2025). The Impact of Community Participation on Sustainable Tourism developmentin Krabi Province of Thailand. International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development, 2(5), 1–21. www.ijsred.com
Nur, I. (2022). Religious Education Based Of Local Wisdom “Satu Tungku Tiga Batu” In Fak-Fak Community West Papua. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 14(4), 6631–6642. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v14i4.2267
Pajarianto, H., Pribadi, I., Yusuf, M., Education, I., Palopo, U. M., Jenderal, J., & Binturu, S. (2025). Religious Literacy as a Mediator in the Ecosystem Model of Religious Moderation Towards Youth ’ s Tolerance Attitudes. International Journal of Law and Society, 4(3), 445–466. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.59683/ijls.v4i3.236
Prakoso, D. B. (2022). Jurnal Kajian Bali. Journal of Bali Studies, 11(2), 370–386.
Said, H., & Yusof, S. M. (2015). Life Skills in the Process of Teaching and Learning English. SSRN Electronic Journal, 4(12). https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2574696
Satir, M., & Akidah, Sri, H. (2025). Integration of Soft Skills Strategy in Teaching Akidah Akhlak at State Madrasah Aliyah. Scaffolding, 7(3), 742–756. https://doi.org/10.37680/scaffolding.v7i3.8247
Subair, M., Syamsurijal, Rismawidiawati, Idham, Muslim, A., & Nur, M. (2024). Multilingualism, Technology, and Religious Moderation in Indonesian Islamic Boarding Schools. International Journal of Language Education, 8(3), 550–563. https://doi.org/10.26858/ijole.v8i3.66498
Sudarman. (2021). Contribution of level of education , employment , and ethnicity on the integration of Muslims and Christians in Central Lampung. IJIMS: Indonesian Journal of Islam and Muslim Societies, 11(2), 243–270. https://doi.org/10.18326/ijims.v11i2.243-270
Suhartanti, P. D. (2026). From Villages to Sustainable Energy Transition : Community-Based Financing Model through Village- Owned Enterprises ( Bumdes ). IJE: Indonesian Journal of Energy, 9(1), 56–71. https://doi.org/doi.org/10.33116/ije.v9i1.283
Uz, R., & Uzun, A. (2018). The Influence of Blended Learning Environment on Self-Regulated and Self-Directed Learning Skills of Learners. European Journal of Educational Research, 7(4), 877–886. https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.7.4.877
Wade, C. (2022). Toward an Eco-Cosmopolitalism: Wendell Berry and Ecowomanism in Conversation (Issue August) [LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO].
Xuemei, Bai; Giles B. Sioen, Şiir Kilkiş, Timon McPhearson, Zeenat Niazi, Jago Dodson, Tri Atmaja, Kensuke Fukushi, Niki Frantzeskaki, Harini Nagendra, Wanyu Shih, Thomas Elmqvist, Tischa Muñoz-Erickson, Xiangzheng Deng, Burak Güneralp, S. L. N. Z. (2025). Reimagining urban science for globalsustainability: Five strategic research areas. Globally Sustainability, 8(e38), 1–17. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1017/sus.2025.10025
Published
2026-06-18
How to Cite
Mustaman, Mustaman, Suparto Iribaram, Bambang Sunatar, Hasbullah Hasbullah, and Abd. Rahman. FiTUA: JURNAL STUDI ISLAM 7, no. 1 (June 18, 2026): 99-109. Accessed June 20, 2026. http://ejournal.stitbima.ac.id/index.php/fitua/article/view/1336.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Mustaman Mustaman, Suparto Iribaram, Bambang Sunatar, Hasbullah Hasbullah, Abd. Rahman
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