The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) says it has successfully 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 network.
The company said the development unlocks the full capacity of the pipeline, designed to transport up to 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day, in a move expected to boost energy availability, improve supply reliability and support economic growth.
NNPC Ltd. said the technically complex crossing was executed about two kilometres beneath the River Niger using horizontal directional drilling technology by its subsidiary, the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company, in partnership with PCE Nigeria Limited.
Group Chief Executive Officer Bashir Bayo Ojulari described the project as a defining achievement for Nigeria’s energy infrastructure, saying it demonstrates the company’s growing technical and execution capacity.
Ojulari said the completed link would enhance domestic gas utilisation, strengthen power generation and drive industrial development across the country.
He added that the milestone builds on previous engineering successes, including the AKK pipeline river crossing completed in 2025, and reflects improved project governance and innovation.
The NNPC chief also credited the federal government and key stakeholders for supporting the project, noting that it aligns with national targets to increase oil production to 3 million barrels per day and gas output to 12 billion standard cubic feet per day by 2030.
NNPC Ltd. said the OB3 pipeline is central to its goal of building an integrated and resilient gas network to improve energy security and living standards in Nigeria.
