Retractable quills for use with a pipe or vessel containing a fluid, and methods of operation thereof, are described. The retractable quill has a cylinder and a hollow rod slidably disposed within the cylinder, the hollow rod having a first end configured to be inserted into the pipe or vessel in fluid communication with the fluid. The retractable quill also has a drive system configured to move the hollow rod within the cylinder between an extended position where the first end of the hollow rod is inserted into the pipe or vessel and within the fluid and a retracted position where the first end of the hollow rod is outside of the pipe or vessel. The retractable quill may be configured to maintain a positive pressure seal when the hollow rod is moved between the extended position and the retracted position.