The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has successfully finished the long-awaited River Niger segment of the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) gas pipeline, a key development expected to boost gas supply to power plants and industries nationwide.
The project, executed by the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company, a subsidiary of NNPC Ltd, required drilling nearly two kilometres beneath the River Niger using horizontal directional drilling, an advanced method suited for challenging terrains.
In a statement released on Thursday by the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, the milestone was said to have unlocked the full operational capacity of the 130-kilometre OB3 pipeline, which can transport up to 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas daily.
The statement partly read: “The NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of NNPC Limited, has successfully completed the River Niger crossing of the 130-kilometre Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben Gas Pipeline, marking a major milestone in the expansion of Nigeria’s national gas transmission network.
“The successful crossing unlocks the full potential of the OB3 pipeline, a strategic infrastructure designed to transport up to 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day, significantly strengthening energy availability, enhancing supply reliability, and accelerating national economic development.”
ALSO READ
According to the company, the development is expected to deliver over 500 million standard cubic feet of additional gas per day to the domestic market in the near term, benefiting electricity generation, manufacturing, and exports.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bayo Ojulari, described the achievement as a major breakthrough in the country’s gas infrastructure expansion.
He said, “The completion of the OB3 River Niger crossing is a defining milestone for Nigeria’s gas infrastructure and a clear demonstration of what disciplined execution and sustained commitment to excellence can deliver.
“By successfully traversing one of the most technically challenging sections of the project, we have unlocked a critical link that will enhance gas supply reliability, deepen domestic utilisation, and support power generation and industrial growth across the country.”
🔍 Explore More
- NRTC English Knowledge Base – Learn, improve, and sharpen your English skills.
- Top Stories From Around the World – Stay informed with the latest global news and insights.
- Specially Curated Listicles – Discover interesting lists, guides, and deep dives selected for our readers.
- Stay Updated: Join our mailing list and never miss the latest articles and updates from NRTC.
Ojulari noted that the success builds on previous engineering accomplishments, particularly the River Niger crossing under the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano pipeline project completed in 2025.
“This achievement is not incidental. It is the result of deliberately leveraging and upscaling our AKK engineering and execution excellence through rigorous project governance, innovative engineering solutions, adaptive problem-solving, and the unwavering commitment of our teams and PCE Nig. Limited,” he said.
He further emphasised the importance of the OB3 pipeline in Nigeria’s broader plan to establish a strong and integrated gas network.
“I commend everyone involved for their doggedness and for staying the course to deliver this strategic national asset,” he said.
Ojulari linked the development to the Federal Government’s wider energy objectives, including increasing crude oil production to 3 million barrels per day and gas output to 12 billion standard cubic feet per day by 2030.
He added that completing the River Niger crossing now connects gas-producing regions with other parts of the country, a crucial step toward long-term energy security and supply stability.
📢 Stay Updated — Join Our WhatsApp Channel
💬 Be Part of Our WhatsApp Community
Join our WhatsApp Channel for curated updates, breaking stories, and exclusive insights from our newsroom.
📲 Join 👉 NRTC WhatsApp Channel
The NNPC boss also acknowledged the support of the Federal Government under Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that the Gas-to-Prosperity agenda played a vital role in achieving the milestone.
He extended appreciation to the NNPC board, host communities, contractors, and project teams for overcoming technical and environmental hurdles to complete the project.
The OB3 pipeline remains a central part of Nigeria’s gas master plan, linking eastern gas hubs to western demand centres and extending connections to the northern region through the AKK pipeline.
The River Niger crossing had long delayed the project due to its complex geological and environmental challenges.
With the obstacle now cleared, analysts say Nigeria is closer to realising a fully integrated national gas grid, which is expected to enhance domestic gas use, reduce flaring, and position the country as a key regional gas supplier.
The project is also anticipated to improve gas export capacity to neighbouring West African countries while ensuring more reliable supply to critical sectors of the economy.
