Breakthrough As NNPCL's OB3 Gas Pipeline Crosses River Niger

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja

Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has recorded another breakthrough with the successful crossing of 130-kilometre Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline through River Niger. 

The feat was achieved through NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC), a subsidiary of NNPCL, marking a major milestone in the expansion of Nigeria’s national gas transmission network. 

It further unlocked 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. 

Executed approximately two kilometres beneath the River Niger riverbed, the technically complex crossing was delivered by the NNPC project team working with PCE Nig. Limited, using advanced Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) technology.

Commending the achievement, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari described the milestone as a testament to disciplined execution and technical excellence.

According to him, "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. 

"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 achievement builds on NNPC Limited’s growing engineering and execution capability, drawing from the successful AKK River Niger Crossing in June 2025, to deliver an even more complex crossing in the Niger Delta environment.

"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. 

"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," he said. 

The GCEO acknowledged the critical support of key stakeholders, stating that: "We sincerely appreciate the continued support of the Federal Government under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, whose Gas-to-Prosperity agenda and commitment to a conducive business environment have been instrumental in making this achievement possible. 

"NNPC Limited could also not have achieved this feat without the trust and guidance of its Board of Directors, under the leadership of our Chairman, Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida."

Reaffirming NNPC Limited’s national mandate, Engr. Ojulari added that: "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 wellbeing of Nigerians."

The GCEO highlighted the strategic significance of the milestone against the backdrop of the Federal Government’s oil and gas production growth targets of 3 million barrels of crude oil per day and 12 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day by 2030.

This was contained in a statement by Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPCL, Andy Odeh in Abuja.