Supporting device, laying vessel, and launch method for laying a pipeline on the bed of a body of water

A pipeline laying supporting device comprising:

• a frame connectable to a pipeline between a laying vessel and a bed of a body of water;
• a floating body;
• and
• a connecting mechanism connectable to the frame and to the floating body, said connecting mechanism comprising two arms hingedly attachable to the frame and to the floating body to form an articulated quadrilateral, said connecting mechanism defining a distance between a longitudinal axis of the pipeline and the floating body to apply an amount torque to a portion of the pipeline at the frame, wherein the connecting mechanism is of a variable geometry such that to adjust the defined distance between the longitudinal axis of the pipeline and the floating body adjusts the amount of torque applied to the portion of the pipeline.

A pipeline laying supporting device comprising:

• a frame connectable to a pipeline between a laying vessel and a bed of a body of water;
• a floating body;
• and
• a connecting mechanism comprising:
• a first arm comprising a first end pivotably connectable to the frame and a second end pivotably connectable to the floating body,
• a second arm comprising a first end pivotably connectable to the frame, and a second end pivotably connectable to the floating body, and
• an actuator configured to selectively adjust a geometry of the first arm and the second arm to modify a distance between a longitudinal axis of the pipeline and the floating body, wherein a first distance between the longitudinal axis of the pipeline and the floating body is associated with a first amount of torque applied to a portion of the pipeline and a second, different distance between the longitudinal axis of the pipeline and the floating body is associated with a second, different amount of torque applied to the portion of the pipeline.

A pipeline laying vessel comprising:

• a supporting structure configured to guide a pipeline as the pipeline is launched;
• and
• a supporting device located downstream from the supporting structure to apply a variable amount torque to a portion of the pipeline, said supporting device comprising:
• a frame connectable to the pipeline between the supporting structure and a bed of a body of water;
• a floating body;
• and
• a connecting mechanism connectable to the frame and to the floating body, said connecting mechanism comprising two arms hingedly attachable to the frame and to the floating body to form an articulated quadrilateral, said connecting mechanism defining a distance between a longitudinal axis of the pipeline and the floating body to apply the variable amount torque to the portion of the pipeline at the frame, wherein the connecting mechanism is of a variable geometry such that to adjust the defined distance between the longitudinal axis of the pipeline and the floating body adjusts the amount of torque applied to the portion of the pipeline.