Abstract: A method for recovering drilling fluid from a mixture containing drilling fluid and other components, the mixture resulting from a wellbore operation including the pumping of drilling fluid, the method including producing a mixture of flocculant with a spent drilling fluid mixture containing drilling fluid and contaminants, heating the mixture, and separating drilling fluid from the mixture. This Abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 CFR 1.72(b).