Release tool with adjustable release rod for a drill string inside blowout preventer

A modular release tool for use with inside blowout preventers comprising:

• a one-piece, formed, planar metallic upper section having a longitudinal axis, the upper section comprising a pair of longitudinal members defining a central open region, each longitudinal member having a lower end, the longitudinal members joined by a top manipulating end having one or more lifting features formed therein configured to accept one or more manipulators, the one or more formed lifting features positioned such that when the release tool body and an inside blowout preventer connected thereto are lifted by the one or more manipulator, they are easily moved over, aligned with, and connected with a working drillpipe while minimizing possibility of slipping off the manipulator, and two or more formed slots in each longitudinal member of size sufficient to define one or more generally horizontal manipulating handles for a rig worker or mechanical manipulator to grasp the upper section and rotate the release tool and thread the pin end of the lower section into the box end of the inside blowout preventer;
• a one-piece, formed, tubular metallic lower section removably attached to the upper section having the same longitudinal axis as the upper section, the lower section comprising a threaded end configured to threadedly mate with an end of an inside blowout preventer;
• a central longitudinal bore of diameter sufficient to slidingly accept a release rod;
• an upper end formed to accept the lower ends of the longitudinal members of the upper section and retaining members therefore;
• the upper end further formed to comprise a central axial extension comprising one or more fluid outlets fluidly connected with the central longitudinal bore, the central axial extension of length sufficient to accommodate an internally threaded bore substantially perpendicular to and intersecting the central longitudinal bore, and accept a mating threaded release rod lock screw therein;
• and
• a length-adjustable release rod slidingly positioned in the lower section central bore and dimensioned so as to be accessible by a rig worker or remotely operated device through the central region of the upper section, the central region having a width substantially larger than diameter of the release rod.

A method of easily and safely attaching a combination inside blowout preventer and release tool having a lower threaded end to a threaded end of a working drillpipe, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) optionally, determining whether lower section will make up to the IBOP, which depends on whether the IBOP will make up to the working drillpipe, and if not, changing the lower section of the release tool body (FIG. 2) to match size (outside diameter) of another IBOP;
• (b) measuring the length of adjustable length release rod required by inspecting the IBOP (actual IBOP or drawing of same), setting the length of the release rod accordingly, and tightening the release rod lock screw;
• (c) assembling the combination of IBOP and release tool so that the lower end of the locked-in-place, adjustable length release rod presses down on and moves into a position holding a valve of the IBOP open;
• (d) lifting the combination, with IBOP valve locked open, to a position over the working drillpipe threaded end using the one or more formed lifting features on the release tool, the lifting feature positioned such that when the release tool body and IBOP attached thereto are lifted by the ropes, cables or chains, they are easily moved over, aligned with, and connected with the working drillpipe while minimizing possibility of slipping off the cables or chains;
• (e) threading the combination onto the working drillpipe and continue turning the combination using formed handles so that threads of the lower end of the IBOP thread into the threads of the working drillpipe;
• and
• (f) optionally, if the IBOP is of the type having a check valve therein, as soon as the IBOP is fixed in position on the working drillpipe, no further escape of fluid or liquids will occur, and if the IBOP is the type having a valve therein, then the valve may be closed by turning the release rock lock screw, allowing an IBOP spring to bias and IBOP dart upward and seal, terminating flow.