NNPC Completes OB3 River Niger Crossing, Boosts Gas Supply Network
The NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company, a subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, has completed the River Niger crossing of the 130-kilometre Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) gas pipeline, marking a major milestone in the expansion of Nigeria’s gas transmission infrastructure.
In a statement, NNPC Ltd’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, said the development unlocks the full potential of the OB3 pipeline, which is designed to transport up to 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day, improving energy availability and supply reliability.
The OB3 pipeline serves as a critical backbone for Nigeria’s gas network, linking eastern and western supply systems while extending connectivity to the northern corridor through the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline.
NNPC Ltd Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Ojulari, described the successful completion of the technically complex River Niger crossing as a breakthrough in the project’s execution. He noted that the achievement establishes a vital link that will enhance domestic gas utilisation and support power generation as well as industrial growth.
Ojulari said the milestone reflects the company’s growing engineering capabilities, following the earlier completion of the AKK River Niger crossing in June 2025, which was also considered a complex undertaking within the Niger Delta terrain.
He added that the project demonstrates the impact of sustained commitment, innovative engineering, and collaboration between NNPC teams and contractors, including PCE Nig Ltd.
The NNPC boss further disclosed that the completion of the crossing is expected to unlock over 500 million standard cubic feet of additional gas supply for the domestic market in the near term, with potential spillover benefits for regional energy supply, including the West African market.
The project is also seen as critical to achieving the Federal Government’s energy targets of producing 3 million barrels of crude oil per day and 12 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day by 2030.
Executed approximately two kilometres beneath the River Niger using advanced horizontal directional drilling (HDD) technology, the crossing is regarded as one of the most technically challenging aspects of the OB3 pipeline project.
Industry analysts say the development strengthens Nigeria’s integrated gas network by physically connecting key producing regions, improving energy security, and supporting long-term economic growth.
