A spud connection to a cylindrical tank wall includes a spud body welded to a cylindrical tank wall. In at least some embodiments, the spud body has an arcuate and concave first end surface, and a planar second end surface spaced apart from the first end surface. A weld joint between the first end surface of the spud body and an outer surface of the cylindrical tank wall surrounds an aperture that extends through the cylindrical tank wall, so that a leak-free fluid connection to an interior volume of the tank can be achieved.