Patent ID: 7325559

Claim:
Method for connecting a branch pipe ( 4 ) to a main pipeline ( 2 ), in which the following operations are carried out: a) digging an exploration hole ( 8 ) from the ground ( 6 ) in order to open up a portion of the main pipeline ( 2 ) which has an upper edge ( 10 ) which extends at an upper level ( 12 ) which is substantially constant relative to the ground ( 6 ), b) using a branch connection ( 14 ) which has a support surface ( 16 ) in the form of a cylindrical portion and a shaft ( 18 ) which extends substantially perpendicularly relative to the support surface ( 16 ) and which is provided with a branch ( 20 ) which is substantially perpendicular relative to the shaft ( 18 ) and to which the branch pipe ( 4 ) is connected, c) positioning the support surface ( 16 ) of the branch connection ( 14 ) against the main pipeline ( 2 ), d) fixing the branch connection ( 14 ) to the main pipeline ( 2 ), e) placing the branch pipe ( 4 ) and the main pipeline ( 2 ) in communication, f) refilling the exploration hole ( 8 ), characterised in that, during step c), the shaft ( 18 ) of the branch connection ( 14 ) is positioned, with the branch ( 20 ) thereof, entirely below said upper level ( 12 ) of the main pipeline ( 2 ), or substantially at the upper level ( 12 ) of the main pipeline ( 2 ) relative to the ground ( 6 ), and, during step f), the branch pipe ( 4 ) is kept below the upper level ( 12 ) of the main pipeline ( 2 ), or substantially at the upper level ( 12 ) of the main pipeline ( 2 ) relative to the ground ( 6 ).