By Saminu Ibrahim
(SINL NIGERIA) The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited has recorded a major milestone in Nigeria’s energy infrastructure with the successful completion of the River Niger crossing on the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline.
The feat, executed by the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC), involved laying a critical section of the 130-kilometre pipeline approximately two kilometres beneath the River Niger using advanced horizontal directional drilling (HDD) technology.
The technically demanding project was delivered in collaboration with PCE Nig. Limited, a statement on Thursday signed by Andy Odeh,
Chief Corporate Communications Officer
NNPC Ltd said.
The successful crossing effectively unlocks the full capacity of the OB3 pipeline, which is designed to transport up to 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day. “The development is expected to significantly boost gas supply reliability, enhance domestic energy availability, and drive economic growth across the country”.
According to the statement, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the achievement as a defining moment for Nigeria’s gas infrastructure, noting that it demonstrates the company’s growing engineering strength and commitment to excellence.
According to him, the milestone will strengthen gas supply nationwide, deepen domestic utilisation, and support power generation as well as industrial expansion.
Ojulari added that the success builds on previous achievements, including the AKK pipeline River Niger crossing completed in 2025, and reflects deliberate efforts to scale up technical capability through innovation, disciplined execution, and strong project governance.
He also acknowledged the support of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as the guidance of the NNPC Board led by Chairman Ahmadu Musa Kida.
The OB3 pipeline is a strategic national asset designed to link Nigeria’s eastern and western gas networks while extending supply to the northern corridor through the AKK pipeline. With the River Niger crossing now completed, gas-producing regions are physically interconnected with the rest of the country.
In the short term, the project is expected to unlock over 500 million standard cubic feet of additional gas supply for the domestic market, supporting power generation, industrial development, and regional gas exports.
SINL NIgeria Online reports that NNPC Limited reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging Nigeria’s oil and gas resources to improve living standards, while continuing to collaborate with stakeholders to expand energy infrastructure and drive economic growth.
