Method for the recovery of black oil residues

A process for the mobilization and removal of black oil residue from an enclosed storage tank comprising the steps of:

• a) introducing a heating medium into the black oil residue at a velocity and temperature effective to create a localized turbulent mixture of mobilized black oil residue and heating medium and an adjacent area of mobilized black oil residue;
• b) removing the mobilized black oil residue from the adjacent area and from the tank by localized negative pressure located at the portion of the residue which has become mobilized;
• c) heating the removed mobilized black oil residue to a temperature in the range of between about 50.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C.;
• d) feeding the heated black oil residue to a filtration means to remove coarse particulate matter therefrom;
• and
• c) passing the filtered, heated black oil residue to process separation whereby substantially all solid sediments and any residual heating medium contained in the filtered black oil residue are removed thereby producing an oil suitable for further refining or blending.