Abstract: An apparatus and process for recovery of oil from submerged tanks is disclosed together with a specialized cutting tool for attaching to and cutting an entry aperture into a submerged tank. The apparatus includes a surface floating vessel having a conduit (preferably conventionally coiled tubing) for receiving oil at the submerged tank and discharging the oil into the vessel. The vessel includes a source of hydraulic power for the remote operation of hydraulic equipment at the site of the submerged tank. Two points of entry are made in each tank for the purpose of equilibrating pressure within the tank; in one point of entry fluid is pumped into the tank to replace the fluid that is removed. At the remaining point of entry, fluid is evacuated to a positive displacement pump, typically of the Moyno.RTM. variety. This pump discharges fluid received from the tank with sufficient pressure to overcome viscosity-induced friction.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for recovery of oil from submerged tanks is disclosed together with a specialized cutting tool for attaching to and cutting an entry aperture into a submerged tank. The apparatus includes a surface floating vessel having a conduit (preferably conventionally coiled tubing) for receiving oil at the submerged tank and discharging the oil into the vessel. The vessel includes a source of hydraulic power for the remote operation of hydraulic equipment at the site of the submerged tank. Two points of entry are made in each tank for the purpose of equilibrating pressure within the tank; in one point of entry fluid is pumped into the tank to replace the fluid that is removed. At the remaining point of entry, fluid is evacuated to a positive displacement pump, typically of the Moyno.RTM. variety. This pump discharges fluid received from the tank with sufficient pressure to overcome viscosity-induced friction.