NNPC marks OB3 breakthrough with Niger River crossing
By Fredrick Ameh
The NNPC Limited has announced a major breakthrough in its national gas infrastructure expansion with the successful completion of the River Niger Crossing on the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline, a key project expected to boost domestic gas supply and strengthen energy security.
The milestone was achieved through the company’s subsidiary, the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company, marking a critical stage in the development of the 130-kilometre pipeline designed to transport up to 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day across Nigeria’s energy network.
The crossing, executed approximately two kilometres beneath the River Niger using advanced horizontal directional drilling technology, was delivered in collaboration with PCE Nig. Limited, according to the company.
Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the achievement as a defining moment for Nigeria’s gas infrastructure development, noting that it strengthens the country’s capacity to expand power generation and industrial supply.
He said the successful execution of the project reflects improved engineering capability within the national oil company, adding that lessons from previous major crossings, including the AKK pipeline project, contributed to the outcome.
The OB3 pipeline is a strategic component of Nigeria’s integrated gas transmission system, linking the eastern and western gas corridors while also supporting future supply to northern regions through interconnected infrastructure.
According to the company, the project is expected to unlock significant incremental gas supply to the domestic market, supporting electricity generation, industrial growth, and broader economic development.
NNPC also credited the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for its gas-to-prosperity policy direction, which it said has created a more enabling environment for large-scale energy infrastructure development.
The company added that the achievement aligns with Nigeria’s long-term production targets of 3 million barrels of oil per day and 12 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day by 2030.
Stakeholders in the energy sector say the successful River Niger crossing represents a key step toward improving pipeline connectivity and reducing bottlenecks in domestic gas distribution.
With the completion of this phase, attention is now shifting to the final integration works required to fully activate the OB3 pipeline for commercial gas transmission across the national grid.