CAPTURE OF DRILLING FLUID RETURNS

An apparatus (10) for capturing drilling fluid returns in an exploration drilling process, as well as a related method of capturing the drilling fluid returns. The apparatus (10) is adapted to be fitted onto a drill collar/casing (11) adjacent its open top (13). The apparatus (10) comprises a body (21) defining a reservoir (23) for receiving the drilling fluid returns flowing out through the open top end (13) of the drill collar/casing (11) and spilling into the reservoir (23). The reservoir (23) comprises a collecting portion (25) in which the fluid returns spilling from the drill collar/casing (11) can be collected. The reservoir (23) also comprises a sump portion (27) which can receive the drilling fluid returns and from which the drilling fluid returns can be pumped by way of a sump pump (28). The reservoir (23) is configured to direct the drilling fluid returns collected by the collecting portion (25) to the sump portion (27) as a continuous flow.