I am posting this and fully expect not so direct answer due to CYA .
So if you CANNOT bypass that, please NO "... for safety reasons etc etc etc ..." "answers " are necessary. Save your and mine time.

Can I use sheet metal electric grinding wheel to make an access (hole) to work on gas (fuel pump , gas gauge gauge ) assembly on Nissan Xterra ?
OK, VERY shallow "nick", just to get thru the sheet metal.

Or - what kind of sheet metal sheers I need to buy at Harbour Freight to get the job done without fire works?

NO, I do not want to remove the gas tank - been there , done that on Chevy wan and it was NOT fun.

PS My year IS NOT subject of recall!!