A process for drying fine tailings is provided. The process, which may use a pipeline reactor system, comprises providing an in-line flow of the fine tailings; continuously introducing a flocculent solution to cause dispersion and commence flocculation of the fine tailings and may comprise rapid turbulent mixing; subjecting the fine tailings to flocculation and water release conditioning in-line to cause formation and rearrangement of floes and increasing the yield shear stress to form flocculated fine tailings while avoiding over-shearing of the flocs; and depositing the fine tailings to allow the release of water, formation of a non-flowing fine tailings deposit and drying of the non-flowing fine tailings deposit. The process enables effective in-line dispersion, flocculation and water release, resulting in reliable deposition and drying of the fine tailings deposit.