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                                                                    EXHIBIT 5

                               September 1, 2000

                                  [LETTERHEAD]

Board of Directors
NQL Inc.
2722 South Fairview Street
Santa Ana, California  92704

         Re:      Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-8 Registration
                  Statement of NQL Inc. with respect to the 1998 Stock Option
                  and Award Plan, as amended ("Plan")

Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel in connection with the Post-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to Form S-8 Registration Statement (File No. 333-45008, the
"Registration Statement") of NQL Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Registrant")
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the offer and sale
of an aggregate of 700,000 shares of Common Stock, no par value (the "Shares"),
of the Registrant which are issuable under the Plan (as defined above).

         We have examined originals or copies certified or otherwise identified
to our satisfaction as being true copies of such corporate records of the
Registrant and other documents as we have deemed necessary for the purpose of
this opinion.

         On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon and based on our
consideration of such other matters of fact and questions of law as we have
deemed relevant in the circumstances, we are of the opinion that, subject to
compliance with applicable state securities and "Blue Sky" laws, the Shares will
be, when issued in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan, validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

         We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registrant's
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-8 Registration Statement covering the
Shares.

                                     Very truly yours,

                                     /s/ ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE & MALLORY LLP