Raising method and device, in particular for an oil exploiting platform

A raising device for carrying out a method for raising in particular an offshore oil exploiting platform comprising legs bearing on the sea bed, and a deck carried by the legs, said method comprising the following steps:

• (a) fixing on each of the legs a raising device forming a reinforcing device having regions of the fixing of the device to the respective leg which are located on each side of a region of the leg to be cut, and putting the raising device under load;
• (b) effecting in said cutting region of the leg a cut so as to divide the leg into a lower portion which bears on the sea bed and an upper portion connected to the deck;
• (c) when all the legs of the platform have been cut, actuating the raising devices associated with the respective legs so as to shift the platform to an extent corresponding to the desired raising while controlling the attitude of the platform, and fixing between the ends of the portions of each leg a heightening element which again interconnects the two portions of the leg, and
• (d) removing the raising devices,
• said device comprising, in association with the respective leg of the platform, at least a first support fixed to the leg below the region of the leg to be cut and at least two hydraulic jacks having cylinders engaged in said support and rods bearing against an under side of the deck of the platform.