Sand consolidation for subterranean sand formations

Abstract

A method of sand consolidation is provided. The method includes injecting a consolidating fluid into a subterranean sand formation via a wellbore to saturate a portion of the subterranean sand formation in a target region surrounding the wellbore and displace a formation fluid present in the subterranean sand formation. Herein, the consolidating fluid comprises bitumen dissolved in an aromatic solvent. The method further includes injecting a composition comprising one or more heat-generating chemicals into the subterranean sand formation such that the portion of the subterranean sand formation in the target region is heated to a target temperature of at least 150° C. The method further includes injecting a gas comprising oxygen into the subterranean sand formation for a period sufficient to oxidize the bitumen in the target region into a residue present on sand grains to bind the sand grains together into a consolidated permeable matrix. A volume fraction of the residue in the consolidated permeable matrix in the target region is about 5-30%.