NNPC Achieves Major Gas Milestone with Completion of Technically Challenging OB3 River Niger Pipeline Crossing

NNPC finishes the technically challenging River Niger crossing for the OB3 gas pipeline, unlocking 2 billion cubic feet of gas daily for Nigeria.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 30, 2026, 8:09 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Naija News

A Technical Breakthrough in Infrastructure

Nigeria’s gas transmission capabilities have reached a significant turning point with the successful completion of the River Niger crossing for the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) gas pipeline. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Gas Infrastructure Company announced on Thursday that the 130-kilometer project has overcome its most formidable engineering obstacle. Executed approximately two kilometers beneath the riverbed, the crossing was completed using sophisticated horizontal directional drilling technology, a feat that physically links the gas-producing regions of the East with industrial hubs in the West.

Unlocking Massive Energy Capacity

The completion of this segment is critical for the full activation of the OB3 pipeline, which is designed to transport up to two billion standard cubic feet of gas per day. According to NNPC Limited, the project is a strategic backbone for the national energy grid, intended to enhance supply reliability and drive industrialization. By connecting the Eastern and Western gas networks, and eventually extending supply to the Northern corridor through the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline, the OB3 infrastructure is set to become the primary artery for domestic gas utilization.

Commending Engineering Excellence

Bashir Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, described the achievement as a defining milestone for the nation. He attributed the success to disciplined project governance and the lessons learned from the earlier completion of the AKK River Niger crossing in June 2025. Ojulari noted that the project was delivered through a collaboration with PCE Nig. Limited, showcasing an upscaled internal capacity for handling complex, large-scale engineering challenges that were previously dependent on foreign technical leads.