By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has announced the successful completion of the River Niger Crossing on the 130-kilometre Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s gas infrastructure expansion.
The company said the achievement unlocks the full potential of the OB3 Pipeline, a strategic national asset designed to transport up to two billion standard cubic feet of gas per day, significantly improving energy availability, supply reliability, and economic development across the country.
According to NNPC, the technically complex crossing was executed approximately two kilometres beneath the River Niger riverbed using advanced Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) technology by the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC), in collaboration with PCE Nig. Limited.
Speaking on the development, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the successful crossing as a defining milestone for Nigeria’s gas infrastructure and a demonstration of disciplined execution and technical excellence.
He said the project would enhance gas supply reliability, deepen domestic gas utilisation, and support power generation and industrial growth nationwide.
“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,” Ojulari said.
He noted that the feat builds on the company’s engineering successes, particularly the AKK River Niger Crossing completed in June 2025, adding that the OB3 crossing was even more complex due to the terrain of the Niger Delta environment.
Ojulari explained that the OB3 Pipeline remains central to NNPC Limited’s ambition of building an integrated and resilient gas network capable of supporting Nigeria’s energy security and long-term economic growth.
He also appreciated the support of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the administration’s Gas-to-Prosperity agenda and commitment to creating a conducive business environment contributed significantly to the project’s success.
The NNPC boss further acknowledged the role of the company’s Board of Directors, led by Chairman Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, as well as the support of the host communities, management and staff of NGIC, and contractor PCE Nig. Limited.
He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to translating Nigeria’s oil and gas resources into improved living standards for citizens through projects that expand energy access and stimulate industrialisation.
Ojulari also highlighted the strategic importance of the project in relation to the Federal Government’s oil and gas production targets of three million barrels of crude oil per day and 12 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day by 2030.
He stated that the successful River Niger Crossing now physically connects Nigeria’s gas-producing regions with the rest of the country.
The OB3 Pipeline serves as a backbone gas infrastructure linking the Eastern gas network to the Western network while extending connectivity to the Northern corridor through the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Pipeline.
In the near term, NNPC said the successful crossing is expected to unlock over 500 million standard cubic feet of incremental gas supply for the domestic market, supporting power generation, industrial growth, and gas supply to the West African market.
