The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited revealed the River Niger crossing on the OB3 gas pipeline in Nigeria has been completed, a move expected to improve gas supply, support power generation, and boost industry.
This was made known on Thursday, April 30, in a statement signed by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh.
The company explained that its subsidiary, the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC), carried out the work with its contractor using advanced drilling technology to pass beneath the river.
NNPC said the crossing marks a major step in linking gas supply across the country. The project is part of the 130-kilometre Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) pipeline, which can transport up to 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas daily.
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The company noted that the work was done about two kilometres under the River Niger, describing the process as complex but successful. They revealed that it now connects gas-producing areas in the east to other parts of the country.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Ojulari, said the development will improve energy supply and support economic growth.
He said, “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.”
He noted that the project will “enhance gas supply reliability, deepen domestic utilisation, and support power generation and industrial growth across the country.”
Ojulari also linked the success to lessons from an earlier project. He said the company built on its experience from the AKK pipeline crossing completed in June 2025.
The team, as he explained, used strong project planning and problem-solving to handle the difficult terrain in the Niger Delta.
He said, “This achievement is not incidental. It is the result of deliberately leveraging and upscaling our AKK engineering and execution excellence.”
The NNPC boss thanked the Federal Government for its support. He said the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu helped create a good environment for the project.
He also appreciated the company’s board and chairman, Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, for their guidance.
Ojulari further thanked the host community, NGIC staff, and the contractor, PCE Nig. Limited, for their roles in the project’s success.
NNPC said the pipeline will help Nigeria meet its energy goals. It noted that the government aims to produce 3 million barrels of oil per day and 12 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day by 2030.
The company maintained that the OB3 pipeline will link eastern and western gas networks and extend supply to the north.
In addition, the project is expected to unlock over 500 million standard cubic feet of gas for local use in the near term, improving power supply and supporting industries.
