The Federal Government has announced that the long-awaited Obiafu/Obrikom/Oben gas pipeline, also known as OB3, will finally be completed in March 2024. This significant infrastructure project, which began in 2016, was revealed during the ongoing 7th Nigeria International Energy Summit in Abuja. President Bola Tinubu provided insights into the government’s decision to remove petrol subsidies despite the challenges it presents.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, and Gas, Ekperikpe Ekpo, delivered updates on Nigeria’s gas sector at the summit, highlighting OB3 as one of the largest gas transmission systems in both Nigeria and Africa.
Ekpo emphasized the importance of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano pipeline and reported substantial progress in its construction, ensuring that it remains on schedule for completion and commissioning.
Regarding OB3, Ekpo expressed great satisfaction in announcing its impending completion by March 2024. This 42-inch, 127-kilometer pipeline will supply a remarkable 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day upon operation.
The OB3 pipeline serves as a crucial link in supplying feedstock to the AKK pipeline. It connects the Obiafu-Obrikom gas plant near Omuku, Rivers State, to Oben, Edo State. Ekpo commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) for its dedication to ensuring the timely completion of the OB3 pipeline project.
With an estimated cost of $700 million, the OB3 gas pipeline project has been a long-awaited endeavor since its inception in 2016. It is also known as the East-West Pipeline, and its completion will significantly enhance the nation’s gas transportation infrastructure, facilitating the transportation of two billion standard cubic feet of gas per day.
This milestone marks a significant step forward in Nigeria’s journey towards becoming a gas-focused economy, underscoring the government’s commitment to developing critical infrastructure to support economic growth and energy security.