NNPC Limited has recorded a major milestone in Nigeria’s energy infrastructure with the successful completion of the River Niger crossing on the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) gas pipeline.

The project, executed by its subsidiary, the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company, marks a critical advancement in the expansion of the country’s gas transmission network. The OB3 pipeline, spanning 130 kilometres, is designed to transport up to 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day.

The crossing, completed approximately two kilometres beneath the River Niger riverbed, involved complex engineering using horizontal directional drilling technology and was delivered in collaboration with PCE Nig. Limited.

Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the achievement as a defining milestone that will significantly enhance gas supply reliability, boost domestic utilisation, and support power generation and industrial growth across Nigeria.

He noted that the success reflects improved technical capability and builds on previous achievements, including similar infrastructure work on the AKK pipeline. According to him, the OB3 project is central to efforts to create an integrated and resilient gas network capable of driving energy security and economic development.

Ojulari also acknowledged the support of the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu, stating that the administration’s gas development agenda has been instrumental in advancing key infrastructure projects.

The NNPC chief reaffirmed the company’s commitment to leveraging Nigeria’s oil and gas resources to improve living standards, while collaborating with stakeholders to expand energy access and stimulate industrialisation.

The milestone aligns with the Federal Government’s broader targets of increasing crude oil production to 3 million barrels per day and gas output to 12 billion standard cubic feet per day by 2030.