Abstract: An apparatus and method for sampling fluids is disclosed where the apparatus includes a body having a chamber therein, a control valve disposed in a control passageway in the body and a sample valve disposed in the sampling passageway in the body. The sample valve includes a freely movable valve member having a specific gravity less than the steps of pressurizing the chamber to force the valve member into sealing engagement with the sampling passageway and lowering the device into the fluid to be sampled to a predetermined depth were in the hydrostatic pressure on the valve enables the valve to move into the chamber permitting sampling fluid to fill the chamber. The sample valve floats on the fluid and seals the chamber when it is filled.

Abstract: Abnormal drilling conditions are detected by monitoring mud volume of the mud system or rate of change of the mud volume. In one embodiment, makeup mud is automatically added to the system as solids are removed from the mud. Abnormal conditions are indicated by when the rate of makeup mud addition differs from the rate of solids removal. The mud system is maintained at a substantially constant volume by means of tanks specially constructed to provide a small mud/air interface.

Abstract: A three-phase separator for processing produced fluids from an oil well is divided into an emulsion, an oil, and water compartments. The separator includes a water weir and controls for automatically adjusting the position of the water weir to maintain the oil-emulsion interface in the emulsion compartment substantially constant.