Heat exchange systems

Abstract

A method for exchanging heat between a pipeline through which fluid is flowable and an earth heat exchanger through which heat transfer fluid is flowable flows, the method including flowing heat transfer fluid through an earth loop or conduit extending from an earth surface down into the earth and having a portion in the earth at a desired location with a desired earth temperature, emplacing heat exchange apparatus with respect to a pipeline portion of a pipeline, the heat exchange apparatus including a heat exchange device for exchanging heat with the pipeline and connection apparatus, connecting the connection apparatus in fluid communication with the heat exchange device and the earth loop or conduit, and flowing the heat transfer fluid in heat exchange relation with the heat exchange device to transfer heat between the pipeline portion and the heat transfer fluid. A method for providing heat transfer fluid to a rig involved in wellbore operations for exchanging heat between the rig and a loop or conduit extending from the rig, the loop or conduit extending through material having at least two areas of different temperature, the method including flowing heat transfer fluid through the loop or conduit and to and through heat exchange apparatus on the rig, and insulating a portion of the loop or conduit in at least one of the at least two areas of different temperature to enhance heat transfer efficiency between the heat transfer fluid and the heat exchange apparatus.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.