An automated or manual laser ablation system and method of use to enable safe, non-user-contact, rapid, and remote cleaning of industrial tubular equipment, e.g. heat-exchangers and reactors. The laser ablation system comprises: a fiber optic cable (12) with a laser probe output end (20), connected to an optics unit (5 or 6) enclosed within a laser probe housing (14). The optics unit comprises: a double convex and / or one or two plano-convex lens; and an Axicon prism, mirror cone, and / or galvo-scanning mirror to emit a rotating or a fixed circular beam. The laser beam cleans a plurality of reactor tubes' internal wall to cause the evaporation of deposit buildups and rust. The laser ablation system further comprises: an air vacuum system (30) positioned to cool the ablation system while removing the debris to a vacuum generator (35); and / or a push motor (60) that pushes and pulls the system through the tubes.