Unconsolidated formation stimulation with sand filtration

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to improved methods for completing wells formed in unconsolidated formations, and more particularly, to methods of stimulating fluid production while preventing the migration of sand with produced fluids from such formations.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

#Other and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the description of preferred embodiments which follows.

#The present invention provides improved methods of stimulating fluid production from an unconsolidated subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore while preventing the migration of sand with produced fluids from the formation. The methods, which do not involve the use of conventional gravel packs, sand screens and the like, include the steps of creating one or more fractures extending from the well bore into the unconsolidated formation, injecting a hardenable resin composition into a portion of the formation through which the fractures extend whereby that portion of the formation is consolidated into a hard permeable mass and depositing proppant in the fractures to maintain them in an open position.

#As will be described further hereinbelow, the fractures can be created in the unconsolidated formation first followed by injecting a hardenable resin composition into the portion of the formation through which the fractures extend. Alternatively, the hardenable resin composition can be injected into a portion of the formation during the creation of the fractures or prior to fracturing the formation. It is generally preferred to first inject the hardenable resin composition into the formation adjacent to and around the well bore and to allow it to harden whereby that portion of the formation is consolidated into a hard permeable mass before creating and propping fractures in the formation.