Sand consolidation for subterranean sand formations

A method of sand consolidation, the method comprising:

• 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, wherein the consolidating fluid comprises bitumen dissolved in an aromatic solvent;
• 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 from 150° C. to 220° C., the one or more heat-generating chemicals diluting the consolidating fluid in the target region;
• and
• 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 of the subterranean sand formation to bind the sand grains together into a consolidated permeable matrix,
• wherein a volume fraction of the residue in the consolidated permeable matrix in the target region is about 5-30%, and
• wherein the injecting the composition comprises injecting ammonium and nitrite.