Inside blowout preventer release tool body having a one-piece planar upper section and a one-piece tubular lower section. In one embodiment, the upper section includes a pair of longitudinal members defining a central open region, the longitudinal members joined at one end having a formed lifting feature configured to accept a manipulator cable or chain. The lifting feature is positioned such that when the release tool body and an inside blowout preventer connected thereto are lifted by the rig hoist using cables, chains, and the like, they are easily moved over, aligned with, and connected with a working drillpipe while minimizing possibility of slipping off the cables or chains. The lower section includes a threaded end mating with a mating end of an inside blowout preventer, a central longitudinal bore to accept a release rod, and an upper end formed to accept the lower ends of the longitudinal members of the upper section. In one embodiment, elongate slots in each longitudinal member define one or more manipulating handles for a rig worker, machine, or tool. In other embodiments a pair of generally horizontal hand holds are defined in each longitudinal member.