A reciprocating pump assembly for pumping a cryogenic fluid, the assembly comprising: a warm end (102) having a crankshaft (108) and a crosshead (110); at least one cold end (104), each cold end having a piston (116), a pumping chamber (132), a suction port (114), a vent port (120) and a discharge port (118); at least one coupling (122), each coupling connecting the warm end (102) to one of the at least one cold end (104); and at least one intermediate distance piece (106), each of the at least one intermediate distance piece (106) being connected to the warm end (102) and to one of the at least one cold end (104), overlapping a portion of the one of the at least one cold end (104), and having at least one heating element (186,187) at least partially contained therein, the at least one heating element being operatively disposed to allow for the circulation of a fluid through the at least one heating element. The heating elements increase the temperature of the piston packing seals to limit deformation of the seals while the pump is in operation.
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