NNPC completes critical OB3 River Niger pipeline crossing

Nigeria has achieved a significant milestone in its energy infrastructure development with the successful completion of the River Niger crossing for the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) gas pipeline. This critical engineering feat, executed by the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company, a subsidiary of NNPC Ltd, marks a turning point for the nation's gas transmission network.

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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 project involved drilling approximately two kilometers beneath the River Niger, employing advanced horizontal directional drilling technology. This complex operation ensures the full activation of the OB3 pipeline's capacity, which is designed to transport an impressive 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day. This achievement is particularly noteworthy given the challenging geological conditions often encountered in such large-scale infrastructure projects.

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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.

Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, hailed the completion as a "defining milestone" and a clear demonstration of "disciplined execution and sustained commitment to excellence." He emphasized that successfully traversing one of the most technically challenging sections of the project has unlocked a critical link that will enhance gas supply reliability, deepen domestic utilization, and support power generation and industrial growth across the country.

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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.

This success builds upon previous engineering achievements, notably the River Niger crossing on the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline project completed in 2025. The NNPC's ability to leverage and upscale its engineering and execution excellence, through rigorous project governance and innovative solutions, underscores Nigeria's growing capacity in managing complex energy projects. The successful completion of the OB3 pipeline crossing is poised to unlock over 500 million standard cubic feet per day of additional gas supply for the domestic market, with profound positive implications for electricity generation, manufacturing, and export capabilities, thereby accelerating national economic development.

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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.