The crossing of the Niger River has long posed a major obstacle to the completion of the OB3 gas pipeline, crucial for Nigeria’s industrialization and economic growth.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is close to finalizing the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) gas pipeline project, according to Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director of NNPC Ltd. During an inspection in Aboh, Delta State, he explained that the OB3 pipeline connects the Eastern gas pipeline network to the Escravos-Lagos System (ELPS) in the West and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna- Kano (AKK) in the North.
He revealed that the Niger River crossing operation has been the main obstacle to completion for over three years, due to the failure of the technologies initially deployed for the construction of the 48-inch pipeline under the river. Using micro-tunneling technology and direct pipe installation, HDD Thailand/Enikkom and Tunneling Services Group (TSG) have already completed approximately 860 meters of the 1,800 meters required.
Mele Kyari expressed his satisfaction with this progress, specifying that the completion of the project is scheduled for mid-August.
He added that this pipeline will inject about 2.2 billion cubic feet of gas into their network, which could stabilize gas demand in about a year and a half, and trigger a gas revolution in Nigeria.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo, also expressed satisfaction with the progress, noting that the work is expected to be completed by July or August, thereby enabling the President to commission the project.
Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, has highlighted her expectation of future benefits for Nigerians in terms of power and other sectors.
Ingo Justen, Managing Director of Tunnel Service Group, expressed confidence in the technology used to bring the project to fruition quickly.
Finally, Seyi Omotowa of the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company confirmed that the Niger River crossing operation, the final stage of the OB3 project, would be completed on schedule.
