Abstract: A method of mechanically hot tapping petroleum equipment that contains a hydrocarbonaceous fluid in its interior by drilling an aperture in such equipment while employing cooling by cyclic drilling and/or refrigeration, the equipment drilling being carried out in a manner such that the temperature of the drill and material being drilled do not exceed a predetermined target temperature that is derived from the decomposition temperature, auto-ignition temperature, and like characteristics of the fluid present inside the equipment.

Abstract: A method of in-service cleaning an operating column by inserting into the column a lance through which a compatible liquid is dispensed at a pressure of at least about 5000 psig. Also disclosed is apparatus which comprises a column through which a fluid can pass, nozzles mounted on the outside of the column, where each nozzle comprises a flange welded to the column and a valve bolted to the flange, a lance which can be inserted through the nozzles into the column and means for dispensing a liquid through the lance at a pressure of at least about 5000 psig.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method of in-service cleaning an operating column by inserting into the column a lance through which a compatible liquid is dispensed at a pressure of at least about 5000 psig. Also disclosed is apparatus which comprises a column through which a fluid can pass, nozzles mounted on the outside of the column, where each nozzle comprises a flange welded to the column and a valve bolted to the flange, a lance which can be inserted through the nozzles into the column and means for dispensing a liquid through the lance at a pressure of at least about 5000 psig.

Abstract: Disclosed is a valve having (A) a valve body with an aperture therethrough, a threaded tap crossing the aperture and opening to only one side of the valve body, (B) a tap screw having a head of larger diameter adopted to screw into the threaded tap, where the tap screw has a hole therethrough which aligns with the aperture when the valve is in an opened position and which is at a substantially right angle to said aperture when the valve is in a closed position, and (C) an o-ring fitted under the head of the tap screw which is compressed between the head and the valve body when the valve is in an opened or closed position.