a wellbore fluid recovery system and method is disclosed for recovering a column of wellbore fluid within a stand of pipe when breaking out joints of a wellbore tubular string . the system comprises a container that can be mounted to seal around the joint . the container is preferably connected through a first valve to a receiving tank to which a vacuum may be applied . a vacuum tank may preferably be provided to assist in producing the vacuum in the receiving tank and a second valve preferably connects between the receiving tank and the vacuum tank . a third valve may be provided for controlling flow from the receiving tank to a storage tank for wellbore fluid . prior to breaking the joint , a vacuum is preferably applied to the receiving tank . the first valve may then be opened to remove the fluid from the joint that is captured by the container in response to the vacuum in the receiving tank . subsequently , the third valve is opened to permit drainage between the receiving tank and the storage tank . the first and third valves may then be closed and the second valve may be opened for producing a vacuum in the receiving tank . a vacuum source may be used to increase the vacuum in the receiving tank further as necessary . the second valve may then be closed and the system is ready to operate as described above to receive fluid from the next joint .