Flame-free door-sheet cutting on a crude oil tank in Guam
In 2022, Dezu traveled to Guam to supervise a waterjet door-sheet cut on a crude oil storage tank being converted to ultra-low-sulfur diesel service. The cut was made cold — using an NLB cold cutting crawler, and the job doubled as the terminal operator's first use of their new NLB 40305D ultra high pressure pump, with Dezu guiding the crew through it. The operator runs fuel terminals for the island's power authority.
Project facts
| Year | 2022 |
| Location | Fuel terminal, Guam |
| Asset | Crude oil storage tank converting to ULSD service |
| Scope | Door-sheet cut supervision + first-use commissioning of client's NLB equipment |
| Equipment | NLB 40305D UHP pump · NLB cold cutting crawler |
01 METHOD
Why cut a tank with water instead of torches or saws?
The conversion required an opening in a tank that had held crude oil. Waterjet cold cutting offered a flame-free alternative to thermal cutting. Isolation, atmosphere controls, equipment suitability and permits remain specific to the facility and task; cold cutting does not eliminate every possible ignition risk.
02 EXECUTION
What did Dezu actually do?
The terminal operator owned a new NLB 40305D pump and cold cutting crawler but had never run them. Dezu supervised the door-sheet cut end to end and walked the client's crew through their first operation of the equipment — planning the cut, rigging the crawler, and running the pump to NLB standards.
03 PROOF
Why does this matter for Philippine clients?
The case records equipment support, supervised field cutting and operator familiarization on one scope. It gives a relevant application to review with Philippine terminal teams. Suitability for another tank depends on that asset, its condition and the approved work controls.
Need flame-free cutting on a live facility?
See the NLB line Dezu distributes, or send your tank or vessel scope for a method recommendation.
The client on this engagement is unnamed here out of respect for their confidentiality. The full project record and client references are available — book a meeting and we will walk you through it.