Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben gas pipeline project reached 100% completion,  says Ojulari

The Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Bayo Ojulari has disclosed that the  Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) gas pipeline project has reached 100 per cent completion, adding that the company was ramping up production to utilise its capacity of supplying one billion cubic feet of gas daily.

Ojulari disclosed this on Monday at the ongoing 2026 Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

He said, “The OB3 was 100 per cent completed, and now we are ramping up production; it has capacity to go to one bcf of gas supply for the country. And then we are moving to the AKK.”

According to him, the  the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project will begin delivering gas to Abuja for power generation before the end of 2026.

Speaking on the topic, “Nigeria’s Reform Agenda: Competing for Energy Capital,” Ojulari said the 614-kilometre pipeline would also supply gas to Kaduna and Kano in 2027.

“Excitingly, we are looking forward to bringing gas to Abuja for power generation before the end of this year. And by next year, we are looking forward to then expand into the other nodes, which is Kaduna and Kano, that are the true hubs in the north,” he said.

Ojulari said the projects would help connect gas supplies to data centres and industrial hubs, allowing the company to unlock the country’s gas potential.

On the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) as an alternative fuel following the removal of petrol subsidy in 2023, the NNPC chief said the initiative had the potential to reduce transportation costs by up to 60 per cent.

He said more than 400 conversion centres were operating across the country, helping vehicle owners convert their vehicles to run on CNG.

Ojulari added that more than 1,000 trucks were using CNG to transport petroleum products across the country.

He said the company planned to increase the number of CNG stations to more than 1,000 by the end of 2027.

On the proposed initial public offering (IPO) of NNPC, Ojulari said the company was ready but declined to give a timeline, noting that the decision would depend on the board’s resolution.

He disclosed that NNPC conducted a baseline study in September as part of the process.

The NNPC boss also highlighted Nigeria’s performance in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, noting that Train Six was performing well while construction of Train Seven was ongoing.