Pressure-resistant hole-making technology: Not an "obvious" industrial art that can be mastered at a glanceIn the modern industrial system, pipelines serve as the "blood vessels" for the transmission of energy and resources. The pressure-bearing opening technology, as the core technology in pipeline maintenance and repair, enables the direct opening of connection points on pressurized pipelines without the need for production suspension or medium release. Although the operation steps of this technology seem clear, it involves the deep integration of knowledge from multiple disciplines such as mechanical engineering, materials science, fluid mechanics, and safety regulations. It is by no means a simple skill that can be mastered by just looking at it. 01 Technical Threshold: Integration of Precise Equipment and Complex Processes Pressure-bearing hole opening is a highly specialized operation that requires operators to possess a wide range of professional knowledge and skills. According to the "Technical Specification for Pressure Sealing of Steel Pipeline" (GB/T 28055-2023), this technology is applicable to steel oil and gas transportation pipelines and can also be extended to other medium pipelines after risk assessment. Its dedicated equipment is highly complex, including drilling machines, sealing systems, power units and control systems, etc. Taking the large-diameter high-pressure oil and gas pipeline drilling machine as an example, its design needs to incorporate transmission mechanisms, power systems, control mechanisms, and even a specialized pressure balancing system to cope with the large loads exerted on the transmission mechanisms by the internal pressure of the pipeline. The operation process is extremely precise and rigorous. From the initial preparation, equipment installation, pressure testing and leak detection to the actual hole drilling and subsequent processing, each step must strictly follow the specifications. When the handwheel starts to advance, it should first be pushed against the main pipeline and then reversed by half a turn to prevent the drill bit from getting damaged. During the drilling process, one must rely on the sense of touch to determine the drilling penetration status - such meticulous operations are far beyond the reach of beginners. 02 Safety Requirements: The Lifeline in High-Risk Environments Pressure-bearing hole opening operations involve numerous risks, especially when dealing with flammable, explosive, and toxic substances. The safety requirements are extremely high. The "AQ 3060-2025 Safety Management Specifications for Pressure-Resistant Sealing and Pressure-Resistant Hole Opening Operations" provides a clear safety management framework for such operations. Welding safety is of primary concern. In the case of pressure-opening of the aviation kerosene pipeline, welding needs to be carried out under the operating conditions of the pipeline medium. Therefore, inert gases such as nitrogen or argon must be used to purify the operation chamber. Only after it is qualified can the operation proceed to eliminate the possibility of fire and explosion. The hole-making process is also full of challenges. This process is carried out within a completely sealed cavity, with the cutting tool cutting in isolation from the air, further reducing the risks. However, for different media and working conditions, additional measures are required. For instance, the emergence of the module-integrated non-sparking pressure-bearing hole-making technology has made it possible to perform pressure-bearing hole-making in oil and gas explosion-proof areas and non-metallic pipelines, significantly reducing the safety risks of welding operations. The industry standard SY 6554-2011 "Safety Specifications for Pressure-Resistant Opening Operations in the Petroleum Industry" provides detailed regulations on the procedures, hazard assessment, and risk mitigation measures for pressure-resistant opening operations. It requires that adequate preparations must be made before the operation, including on-site investigation, preparation of construction plans, equipment inspection, and personnel training. 03 Application Scope: From routine maintenance to special operating conditions The application scope of pressure-bearing hole opening technology is extremely broad. It is not only applicable to traditional energy industries such as oil, gas, and chemical industries, but also widely used in urban gas pipelines and various industrial pipelines. In terms of pipe types, this technology can handle various materials such as steel, PE, and PVC, and can accommodate pipe diameters ranging from 25 millimeters to over 1000 millimeters. With technological advancements, it is now capable of handling large-diameter steel pipes with diameters of DN1016mm and DN1219mm, and can operate under high-pressure conditions with a pressure of up to 12 MPa. Special application environments have also driven technological innovation. In the renovation project of Tuha Oilfield, the pressure-bearing pipe opening and connection technology enabled seamless connection operations without any oil or gas leakage under a fully sealed condition. The operation time was reduced to just 3 hours, which was significantly better than the traditional methods. In the application of Xinjiang Runlin New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., the non-sparking pressure-bearing opening and connection technology greatly reduced the safety risks in the oil and gas explosion-proof areas. 04 Professional Competence: The Perfect Combination of Experience and Theory To become a qualified pressure-opening technician, one needs to undergo systematic training and extensive practical experience. They must not only understand the principles of the equipment, but also master the characteristics of different materials, the physical and chemical properties of the medium, and the response strategies under various working conditions. The tactile judgment during operation is a typical example of experience accumulation. For instance, when approaching the cutting point, "the feeling is that the drill penetrates the pipe wall and then cuts off the hydraulic supply or power source", and after cutting off the power, "manual operation can proceed, indicating that the drill has penetrated through" - this kind of judgment ability gained through experience cannot be learned from books. Teamwork is also of vital importance. A professional hole sealing company can clearly state in the construction contract that it assumes 100% of the safety responsibility. This commitment is backed by high-quality equipment and a skilled and standardized operation team. 05 Technological Development: From Traditional Techniques to Intelligent Innovation The pressure-bearing hole opening technology is currently in a stage of rapid development. Traditional hole opening machines mainly use hydraulic motors for driving and operate through manual control of hydraulic valves. However, the new type of hole opening machines have added a pressure balance system, which utilizes the pressure of the medium transported by the high-pressure pipe to reduce the load exerted by the pipeline pressure on the transmission mechanism of the hole opening machine. The technology of cutting tools has also made significant progress. For X80 high-strength pipeline steel, researchers specially designed a hole-cutting tool with high-speed steel M48 as the blade material. They optimized the geometry of the tool body and the blade, and used the "three-body one grease" silver brazing method to connect the blade and the tool body according to the metal cutting principle. Intelligence is the future development direction. Based on the virtual prototype technology, using Solidworks to establish the three-dimensional models of the opening machine and the opening tool parts, conducting virtual assembly and checking the clearance between them, and performing kinematic and dynamic analyses through Simulation have greatly improved the reliability and efficiency of product design. Every successful pressure-bearing hole opening operation is the result of the joint efforts of precise equipment, professional knowledge and rich experience. From judging the drilling penetration status by hand feel, to designing special hole-opening machines for large-diameter high-pressure pipelines, and then following strict safety regulations, all these demonstrate the technical depth. With the advancement of technology and the improvement of standards, professional institutions like Cangzhou Aoguang Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd. continue to drive this field towards a safer and more efficient direction. However, no matter how innovative it becomes, the professional threshold of the pressure-bearing hole opening technology will never be lowered. This is because it not only relates to the normal operation of the equipment, but also represents a significant responsibility for personnel safety and environmental protection.