NNPC Completes OB3 River Niger Crossing, Boosts Gas Transmission Capacity by 2bcf/d
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has announced the successful completion of the River Niger crossing on the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline, unlocking an additional 2 billion standard cubic feet per day (2bcf/d) in gas transmission capacity.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, who described the milestone as a significant breakthrough for Nigeria’s gas infrastructure.
Executed by the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company, the River Niger crossing is widely regarded as one of the most technically challenging segments of the OB3 pipeline project due to the river’s depth and environmental complexity.
NNPC said the completion marks a turning point in efforts to strengthen energy security, expand gas supply to industries, and improve electricity generation nationwide.
According to the company, the milestone unlocks the full potential of the OB3 pipeline, which is designed to transport up to 2bcf/d of gas across the country.
“The successful crossing unlocks the full potential of the OB3 Pipeline, a strategic infrastructure designed to significantly strengthen energy availability, enhance supply reliability, and accelerate national economic development,” the statement said.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the project as a demonstration of technical excellence and disciplined execution in delivering complex energy infrastructure.
Ojulari noted that the project would improve gas supply reliability and support power generation and industrial growth, adding that it aligns with Nigeria’s broader energy objectives of expanding gas production and utilisation.
He further described the achievement as a defining moment for the country’s energy sector and a testament to the company’s capacity to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects.
The OB3 Gas Pipeline project is a key component of Nigeria’s plan to build an integrated gas transmission network linking major production hubs with demand centres across the country. Despite facing delays over the years due to funding constraints, technical challenges, and difficult terrain, the project remains central to addressing gas supply bottlenecks.
Designed to connect the eastern and western gas networks, the OB3 pipeline is also part of the government’s “Gas-to-Prosperity” agenda aimed at boosting domestic gas utilisation and supporting economic growth.
The development follows a similar milestone recorded in July 2025, when NNPC completed the River Niger crossing on the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project, a 614-kilometre pipeline designed to transport 2.2bcf/d of gas.
Industry observers say the OB3 River Niger crossing will play a pivotal role in reshaping Nigeria’s gas distribution landscape, improving transportation efficiency, and supporting the country’s target of increasing gas production to 12bcf/d by 2030.
