In this article, we discussed the OB3 gas pipeline and the expected time for its completion and also the enormous benefit of the pipeline.
According to Nigerian government, the Obiafu/Obrikom/Oben which is known to be OB3 gas pipeline will be completed by March 2024.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo, said this at the opening ceremony of the ongoing 7th edition of the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES 2024) that took place at the presidential banquet hall in Abuja on Tuesday.
In his words, “I am pleased to announce that the OB3 pipeline will be completed by March 2024, and the 42″ 127 km pipeline will supply 2BCF daily.”
The pipeline was Initially slated for completion by the second quarter of 2019, delays arose due to adverse weather conditions, notably rain and flooding, impacting construction progress by August 2018.
Further hindrances, including the widespread disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and slowdowns attributed to alterations in contracting agreements, have collectively contributed to the project’s prolonged delay over nearly eight years.
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Mr. Ekpo explained that the pipeline is among Nigeria and Africa’s biggest gas transmission systems.
Ekpo speaking, the OB3 pipeline project serves as a crucial link to the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline, forming an essential part of Nigeria’s gas infrastructure.
He added, “We have to increase gas production and one of the most important aspects of the gas for distribution is the OB3 project, which will enable the taking up of gas from the South-South part of the country up to the West and the North.”
Upon completion, he said this pipeline will provide the AKK pipeline with gas from the three fields of Obiafu, Obrikom, and Oben.
“I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the resilience of the NNPCL Group for their steadfastness and proactive approach to ensuring the timely completion of the OB3 pipeline project,” Mr. Ekpo said.
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Furthermore, he said the government is committed to ensuring the timely completion of key gas projects to facilitate a smooth transition to natural gas, a cornerstone of the government’s energy strategy.
The OB3 gas pipeline project is a 127 km, 48-inch gas pipeline. It stands as one of the most substantial gas transmission pipelines in Nigeria and across Africa in terms of pipe size.
Accompanied by a Gas Treatment Plant (GTP), the facility boasts a robust capacity of producing 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day (2bscf/d). Spanning from the Obiafu-Obrikom gas plant near Omuku, Rivers State, the OB3 gas pipeline extends to Oben, Edo State.