Method and apparatus for containment and collection of drilling mud and other fluids

Abstract

A fluid containment device has a housing defining an inner chamber, an elongated vertical opening and a keyway slot. At least one door can alternate between a first open position (leaving the elongated vertical opening unobstructed) and a second closed position (causing the elongated vertical opening to be blocked or obstructed). With the door in said open position, the device can be quickly and efficiently positioned around a threaded connection existing between adjacent pipe sections. A variable diameter seal assembly can be selectively closed around the outer surfaces of any pipe sections, while simultaneously covering upper and lower keyway slot. The device prevents drilling fluid from uncontrolled splashing or spilling on personnel or the surrounding environment upon separation of the pipe sections, while also saving and redirecting the drilling fluid to a rig's mud system for further handling via outlet ports on the housing.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for containing and collecting drilling mud when adjoining pipe sections are separated comprising:
 a) a housing comprising:
 i) a plurality of interconnected walls defining an inner chamber, wherein an elongated vertical opening extends into said inner chamber through at least one of said side walls; 
 ii) a base having a keyway slot formed in said base, wherein said keyway slot is aligned with said elongated vertical opening; 
   b) a door hingedly connected to said housing, wherein said door is configured to alternate between a first open position wherein said elongated vertical opening is substantially unobstructed, and a second closed position wherein said elongated vertical opening is blocked; and   c) a pipe seal assembly configured to selectively alternative between a first open position and a second closed position, wherein said pipe seal assembly is configured to form a fluid pressure seal around the outer surface of a pipe section disposed in said keyway slot and cover said keyway slot, when in said closed position.