Device and method for the towing of underwater pipelines

The device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the guiding element can be oriented in several directions.

The device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the attitude control means comprise a kinematic mechanism with leverisms for the control of the position of the guiding element.

The device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the removable connection means include a substantially flat supporting structure and releasing systems of said structure from the pipeline.

A method for the towing of underwater pipelines characterized by the following steps:

• connection to the pipeline of a series of devices, at a suitable distance from each other, said devices being capable of imparting a floating buoyancy to the pipeline in a variable manner according to the distance from the sea bottom and such that said pipeline can establish a substantially stable attitude at a fixed distance from the bottom, without dragging and with a neutral weight, and wherein said devices form a guide by means of at least one element fixed to the sea floor in order to contrast side forces and impart variations in the movement direction of the pipeline.
• generation of a buoyancy to the pipeline by the activation of said devices;
• towing of the pipeline in a longitudinal direction by suitable towing means.

The method according to any of the claims from 12 to 14, characterized by one or more sequences of the buoyancy generation (b) and towing (c) steps, intervalled by a further flooding step of the devices and resting of the pipeline on the sea bottom.

The method according to any of the claims from 12 to 15, characterized by the use of devices according to any of the claims from 1 to 11.