Acidizing method for gravel packing wells

A method for producing substantially sand or fines free hydrocarbonaceous fluids from a formation via a wellbore which comprises:

• a) gravel packing the wellbore and perforations communicating with a productive interval of said formation;
• b) introducing an acidizing agent into the formation's near-wellbore area via perforations within the wellbore which acidizing agent is of a strength sufficient to dissolve formation sand or fines in channels contained in said formation and perforations;
• c) introducing thereafter a one-step sand consolidation agent into said perforations before said channels are blocked with formation sand or fines where said agent comprises an alkali metal silicate having therein a composition decomposable at formation temperatures sufficient to bind sand within the formation, thereby consolidating said formation while retaining a desired permeability in said formation's near-wellbore area;
• d) allowing the consolidation agent to remain in the perforations and near-wellbore area for a time sufficient to form a cement having a porosity sufficient to prevent formation fines from entering said channels and perforations thereby permitting the production of substantially fines or sand free hydrocarbonaceous fluids to the surface;
• and
• e) producing substantially sand or fines free hydrocarbonaceous fluids to the surface via said well-bore.