NNPC completes OB3 pipeline River Niger crossing, boosts gas supply outlook

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has announced the successful completion of the River Niger crossing on the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben gas pipeline, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s gas infrastructure development and strengthening prospects for increased energy supply to industries and power plants.

The development was executed by the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company, a subsidiary of NNPC Ltd, which undertook the technically complex task of drilling approximately two kilometres beneath the River Niger using horizontal directional drilling technology.

Announcing the milestone in a statement, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, Andy Odeh, said the achievement unlocks the full capacity of the 130-kilometre OB3 pipeline, designed to transport up to two billion standard cubic feet of gas per day.

“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 statement read.

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“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.”

The company stated that the completion of the crossing is expected to immediately unlock over 500 million standard cubic feet of additional gas supply for the domestic market, with implications for electricity generation, industrial activities, and export capacity.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bayo Ojulari, described the development as a turning point in Nigeria’s gas infrastructure expansion and a demonstration of execution capability in complex engineering environments.

“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,” Ojulari said.

“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.”

Ojulari noted that the milestone builds on previous engineering successes recorded on similar projects, particularly the River Niger crossing achieved under the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano pipeline project 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 explained that the OB3 pipeline is central to the company’s long-term vision of developing an integrated and resilient gas network across Nigeria.

“The OB3 Pipeline is central to our ambition of building an integrated and resilient gas network that underpins Nigeria’s energy security and economic development. I commend everyone involved for their doggedness and for staying the course to deliver this strategic national asset,” Ojulari added.

The NNPC boss linked the development to broader national energy targets, including plans to increase crude oil production to three million barrels per day and gas output to 12 billion standard cubic feet per day by 2030.

“The successful River Niger Crossing ensures that Nigeria’s gas-producing regions are now physically interconnected with the rest of the country, a critical requirement for achieving our long-term production and supply aspirations,” he said.

He also acknowledged the support of the Federal Government and other stakeholders in delivering the project, noting that policy direction and enabling environment played key roles.

“We sincerely appreciate the continued support of the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose Gas-to-Prosperity agenda and commitment to a conducive business environment have been instrumental in making this achievement possible,” Ojulari stated.

“NNPC Limited could also not have achieved this feat without the trust and guidance of its Board of Directors,” he added.

The company further commended host communities, contractors, and project teams for their resilience in overcoming technical and environmental challenges associated with the River Niger crossing.

The OB3 pipeline is regarded as a critical component of Nigeria’s gas master plan, linking eastern gas fields to western demand centres and connecting to the northern corridor through the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano pipeline.

For years, the project experienced delays, particularly at the River Niger crossing, which industry experts identified as the most challenging segment due to difficult terrain and environmental conditions in the Niger Delta.

The inability to complete this section had constrained gas flow between eastern supply hubs and western industrial markets, contributing to supply bottlenecks and underutilisation of installed power generation capacity.

With the completion now achieved, analysts say Nigeria is closer to establishing a fully integrated gas grid capable of supporting domestic consumption and regional exports.

The development is expected to reduce gas supply constraints, improve energy reliability, and support industrial expansion across key sectors of the economy.

Stakeholders have also noted that increased gas availability will play a critical role in reducing reliance on more expensive and less environmentally friendly energy sources, while also supporting Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy solutions.

The NNPC reaffirmed its commitment to expanding infrastructure and leveraging Nigeria’s gas resources to drive economic growth and improve living standards.

“At NNPC Limited, we remain fully committed to translating Nigeria’s oil and gas resources into a better standard of living for all citizens. We will continue to collaborate with our partners to deliver projects that expand energy availability, stimulate industrialisation, and improve the overall well-being of Nigerians,” Ojulari said.