NNPC completes long-delayed $700m OB3 gas pipeline River Niger crossing, boosting national energy supply

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC), a subsidiary of NNPC Limited, has successfully completed the River Niger crossing on the $700 million Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) gas pipeline project after more than a decade of delays.

The 48-inch, 130-kilometre pipeline is designed to transport up to 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day, with its completion expected to significantly enhance East–West gas connectivity and ensure efficient delivery from production hubs to demand centres across Nigeria.
This development was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by NNPC Ltd.’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, describing the achievement as a major milestone in expanding Nigeria’s national gas transmission network.
According to Odeh, the successful River Niger crossing unlocks the full capacity of the OB3 pipeline, strengthening energy availability, improving supply reliability, and supporting economic growth nationwide.
He explained that the crossing, executed approximately two kilometres beneath the River Niger riverbed, was one of the most technically challenging aspects of the project. It was completed by the NNPC project team in collaboration with PCE Nig. Limited using advanced horizontal directional drilling (HDD) technology.
NNPC Limited’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, commended the milestone, describing it as a clear demonstration of technical expertise and disciplined project execution.
He stated that completing the River Niger crossing represents a critical achievement in Nigeria’s gas infrastructure development, enhancing supply reliability, boosting domestic utilisation, and supporting power generation and industrial expansion.
Ojulari noted that the success builds on NNPC’s previous achievement with the AKK River Niger crossing completed in June 2025, highlighting the company’s growing engineering and execution capabilities.
He emphasized that the accomplishment was driven by strong project governance, innovative engineering solutions, adaptive problem-solving, and the commitment of both NNPC teams and PCE Nig. Limited.
Describing the OB3 pipeline as central to NNPC’s vision of building a resilient and integrated gas network, Ojulari said the project would play a key role in strengthening Nigeria’s energy security and economic development.
He also acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the administration’s Gasto-Prosperity agenda and business-friendly policies contributed significantly to the project’s success. He further appreciated the guidance of the NNPC Board led by Chairman Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida.
Reaffirming the company’s mandate, Ojulari stated that NNPC remains committed to leveraging Nigeria’s oil and gas resources to improve citizens’ living standards through increased energy access and industrial growth.
He also commended the host communities for their support, alongside NGIC staff and PCE Nig. Limited, whose professionalism and innovation were instrumental in delivering the project.
The GCEO highlighted the importance of the project in achieving the Federal Government’s target of producing 3 million barrels of crude oil per day and 12 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day by 2030.
With the completion of the River Niger crossing, Nigeria’s gas-producing regions are now physically connected to other parts of the country. The OB3 pipeline serves as a critical backbone linking the Eastern and Western gas networks, while also extending supply to the Northern corridor through the AKK pipeline.
In the short term, the project is expected to unlock over 500 million standard cubic feet of additional gas supply for the domestic market, boosting power generation, supporting industrial activities, and enhancing gas exports to the West African region.