NNPC Completes OB3 Pipeline Crossing River Niger

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has announced the successful completion of the OB3 pipeline crossing beneath the River Niger, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of Nigeria's gas transmission network. This project, executed by NNPC's subsidiary, NNPC Ltd, utilized advanced horizontal direct drilling technology to drill approximately two kilometers beneath the river.

The 130-kilometer OB3 pipeline is designed to transport two billion standard cubic feet of gas per day, which will significantly strengthen energy availability and enhance supply reliability, thereby accelerating national economic development. Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, described the completion of the river crossing as a turning point for Nigeria's gas infrastructure.

The project is expected to unlock an additional 500 million standard cubic feet of gas supply for the domestic market, impacting electricity generation and manufacturing. The achievement aligns with the federal government’s broader energy targets, including increasing crude oil production to three million barrels per day and gas output to 12 billion standard cubic feet per day by 2030.