Patent ID: 8596358

Claim:
A method for the treatment of a subterranean formation which contains sand particles, the method comprising contacting the formation with a compound capable of increasing the residual matrix strength of the sand particles in order to reduce or prevent their migration while minimizing any decrease in the permeability of the formation, wherein the compound has the formula III: (RO) 3 Si—(CH 2 ) x -A-(CH 2 ) y —Si(OR) 3 (III) wherein each R is independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms or a —COR 13 group wherein R 13 is a substituted or unsubstituted C 1-18 alkyl; A is an organic linking group or a group comprising an atom having a lone pair of electrons; x is 0 or a positive integer; and y is 0 or a positive integer; and wherein the compound is applied as a dispersion or solution in a hydrocarbon carrier that contains less than 2% water; and wherein upon contacting, the compound increases the residual matrix strength of the sand particles.