- The pipeline, stretching from the Obiafu-Obrikom gas plant near Omoku, Rivers state, to Oben in Edo state, faced delays attributed to technical challenges
The federal government has announced that the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) gas pipeline is set to be completed in March 2024.
Ekperikpe Ekpo, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), shared this information during the official opening of the 7th edition of the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES 2024) in Abuja on Tuesday.
The pipeline, stretching from the Obiafu-Obrikom gas plant near Omoku, Rivers state, to Oben in Edo state, faced delays attributed to technical challenges, including horizontal drilling under major rivers, despite an initial completion target of the end of 2017.
Announcing the new completion deadline at the event, Ekpo said the “127 km pipeline would supply two billion cubic feet (2BCF) of gas daily”.
“Upon completion, this pipeline will provide the AKK pipeline with gas from the three fields of Obiafu, Obrikom, and Oben,” he said.
“I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the resilience of the NNPC Ltd. Group for their steadfastness and proactive approach to ensuring the timely completion of the OB3 pipeline project.
“The OB3 gas pipeline is a vital piece of gas infrastructure for the supply of feedstock to the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline, another milestone in our journey towards a gas-focused economy.
“OB3 is a construction phase natural gas pipeline, running from the Obiafu-Obrikom gas plant to the Oben node in Nigeria.
“I am pleased to report that significant progress has been made in constructing this critical infrastructure project, and we are on track to ensure its completion and inauguration as scheduled.”
Ekpo said the pipeline is one of the largest gas transmission lines in Nigeria and Africa, adding that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is fully dedicated to fostering an environment that could enable the growth of the sector.
The minister said the administration has put policies and regulatory frameworks in place to encourage investment, promote innovation, and ensure sustainability.