From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
In a significant move to enhance the nationwide gas supply, propelling industrialisation and economic growth, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) is on the verge of completing the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline project.
During an inspection tour of the OB3 pipeline River Niger Crossing operation at Aboh, Delta State at the weekend, NNPC Ltd’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mele Kyari, confirmed the project is nearing completion.
The OB3 Gas pipeline is a critical inter-connector designed to link the Eastern gas pipeline network with the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) in the West and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Pipeline in the North.
For over three years, the River Niger Crossing operation has posed significant challenges due to the failure of various technologies to construct the 48-inch pipe under the riverbed between Ndoni in Rivers State and Aboh in Delta State. However, the adoption of Micro-Tunnelling/Direct Pipe Installation technology by new contractors, HDD Thailand/Enikkom and Tunnelling Services Group (TSG), has achieved a breakthrough, completing about 860 meters of the 1,800-meter stretch.
Following the inspection, Kyari expressed optimism about the project’s imminent completion, stating, “This project is of monumental value to our country. It is the cornerstone of our gas revolution. I am confident that by mid-August, we will see its completion, as assured by the project team.”
Highlighting the project’s significance, Kyari added, “Once finished, we will introduce approximately 2.2 billion standard cubic feet of gas into our network. This will significantly meet our country’s demand for the next one and a half years and serve as a foundation for unleashing the gas revolution in Nigeria.”
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, expressed satisfaction with the project’s pace, describing it as “Renewed Hope at work.” He recalled previous doubts but now confidently expects completion by July or August, with commissioning by the President.
Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, also voiced anticipation for the project’s benefits, having received assurances from the technical team about overcoming the complex challenges of the River Niger Crossing. “We look forward to this project bringing prosperity to Nigerians through electricity and other areas,” Verheijen remarked.
Mr. Ingo Justen, Managing Director of Tunnel Service Group (TSG), personally overseeing the project, expressed confidence in the current technology leading to its timely conclusion.
Seyi Omotowa, Managing Director of NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC), confirmed that the River Niger Crossing operation, the final phase of the OB3 Gas Pipeline Project, is on track to meet its deadline, thanks to the new technology deployed.
