Intensifying setting tool for packer

A system for use in casing, the system comprising:

• a packer defining a packer bore therein and having a packing assembly disposed thereon, the packing assembly configured to engage in the casing;
• and
• a setting tool used on tubing and being activated by tubing pressure applied behind a plug deployed to set the packer in casing, the setting tool comprising:
• a tool body disposed on the tubing and being configured to removably engage with the packer, the tool body having a tool bore;
• a first piston movably disposed in the tool bore and defining a first variable volume, the first variable volume being configured to hold an actuation fluid, the first piston being moveable between a first actuator position and a second actuator position;
• a second piston movably disposed on the tool body and defining a second variable volume, the second variable volume in fluid communication with the first variable volume and being configured to hold the actuation fluid, the second piston being moveable at least from a first setting position to a second setting position;
• a fill valve disposed on the tool body and separating the second variable volume from a reserve volume of a reserve fluid, the fill valve being movable between a closed state and an opened state, the fill valve in the closed state being configured to prevent fluid communication from the second variable volume to the reserve volume, the fill valve in the opened state being configured to permit fluid communication from the reserve volume to the second variable volume;
• and
• a seat disposed on the first piston and being configured to engage the plug, the first piston being configured to move in response to the tubing pressure applied behind the plug engaged in the seat, the first piston in response to the movement being configured to intensify the tubing pressure as intensified pressure on the actuation fluid in the first variable volume communicated to the second variable volume, the second piston being movable on the tool body toward the packing assembly in response to the intensified pressure in the second variable volume.

A method of setting a packer in casing, the packer defining a packer bore therein and having a packing assembly disposed thereon, the packing assembly being configured to engage in the casing, the method comprising:

• running the packer into position in the casing by using a setting tool disposed on tubing;
• engaging a plug on an actuator seat in an intensifying piston in the setting tool;
• applying tubing pressure behind the plug engaged in the actuator seat;
• moving the intensifying piston in the setting tool from a first actuator position toward a second actuator position in response to the tubing pressure applied behind the plug;
• and
• intensifying the tubing pressure as intensified pressure on actuation fluid in a first variable volume of the intensifying piston communicated to a second variable volume of a setting piston;
• moving the setting piston toward the packing assembly of the packer in response to the intensified pressure in the second variable volume;
• releasing the tubing pressure behind the plug in the actuator seat;
• filling the second variable volume with a reserve fluid drawn through a fill valve from a reserve volume;
• and
• resetting the intensifying piston to the first actuator position with the reserve fluid in the second variable volume communicated to the first variable volume.