A method is provided for cutting and removing underwater pipelines. The
method comprises (a) determining the position of the underwater pipeline
to be removed;(b) positioning, on the line a guide for positioning a
cutter and a device for recovering the cut pipe sections, the guide being
able to be repositioned along the line and being stably connected to a
boat intended to collect the recovered sections; (c) guided positioning
of the cutter and guided positioning of the device for recovering the cut
pipe; (d) cutting of the pipe section of predetermined length and
subsequent removal of the section by using the device for recovering the
cut pipe; (e) transfer of the pipe section recovered by the recovery
device to the boat; and (f) repositioning of the guide along the
remaining line portion to be removed and repetition of the preceding
steps(c) to(e) until the underwater pipeline has been completely removed.
An apparatus for implementing this method is also provided.