Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has announced the completion of the long-delayed River Niger crossing on the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) gas pipeline, a major milestone expected to boost gas supply to power plants and industries across the country.
The project, executed by NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company, involved drilling about two kilometres beneath the River Niger using advanced horizontal directional drilling technology suited for complex terrains. The development effectively unlocks the full capacity of the 130-kilometre OB3 pipeline.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, Andy Odeh, the company said the pipeline is designed to transport up to 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day, strengthening Nigeria’s energy supply network and supporting economic growth.
NNPC noted that the completion would immediately enable the delivery of over 500 million standard cubic feet of additional gas daily to the domestic market, with expected benefits for electricity generation, manufacturing, and exports.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bayo Ojulari, described the achievement as a defining moment for Nigeria’s gas infrastructure. He said the successful crossing of one of the most technically challenging segments of the project would improve supply reliability, deepen domestic gas utilisation, and drive industrial expansion.
Ojulari added that the milestone builds on earlier engineering successes, including the River Niger crossing on the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano pipeline completed in 2025. He attributed the progress to strong project governance, innovative engineering, and the commitment of project teams and contractors.
He further stated that the OB3 pipeline is central to Nigeria’s plan to develop an integrated and resilient gas network, linking eastern gas supply sources to western and northern demand centres.
The NNPC boss also tied the project to the Federal Government’s energy goals under Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which include increasing crude oil production to 3 million barrels per day and gas output to 12 billion standard cubic feet per day by 2030.
The OB3 pipeline, a key component of Nigeria’s gas master plan, has faced years of delays, particularly at the River Niger crossing due to difficult geological and environmental conditions. With the completion of this segment, stakeholders say the country is closer to achieving a fully integrated national gas grid.
The development is expected to enhance domestic gas utilisation, reduce gas flaring, and position Nigeria as a stronger regional gas supplier, while improving supply reliability for key sectors of the economy.
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