Abstract: Entrained gas bubbles are removed from drilling fluid by providing a conduit through which drilling fluid may flow with a cavitator disposed within the conduit and elliptically oscillating movements are imparted to the cavitator by drive means associated with the conduit and drivingly connected to the cavitator.

Abstract: Drilling mud degasification apparatus comprises a degassing chamber located below the level of gas-laden mud in a tank. A propeller pump causes the mud in the tank to flow through a plurality of restricted orifices in the degassing chamber at a rate faster than that at which the mud would normally flow through such orifices to liberate the gas bubbles therefrom. A cyclone separator finally separates the so-liberated gas from the mud.

Abstract: Degassing apparatus for removing entrained gas bubbles from drilling fluid comprises a conduit through which drilling fluid may flow and a cavitator located within the conduit. The conduit includes generally opposed first and second surfaces positioned to contact drilling fluid flowing through the conduit. The cavitator has first and second surfaces respectively opposed to the conduit first and second surfaces and is reciprocatable between a first position proximal the conduit first surface and a second position distal the conduit first surface and proximal the conduit second surface. In operation, drilling fluid is conducted through the conduit, and the action of the cavitator alternately compresses and then rarefies the fluid between the cavitator surfaces and the respective opposed conduit surfaces.