EXHIBIT 16.1 October 11, 2001 Securities and Exchange Commission 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20549 Gentlemen: We have read Item 4 of Form 8-K dated October 10, 2001, of NQL Inc. and are in agreement with the statements contained in the first and second paragraphs on page 2 therein. We have no basis to agree or disagree with other statements of the registrant contained therein. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP