Process for consolidating sand

A method of treating a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation comprising unconsolidated or poorly consolidated particulates to produce a consolidated formation, the method comprising contacting the formation with a solution or a dispersion of an organosilane, wherein the organosilane is a silylated polymer of formula (I):

• (RO)3-nRnSi-A-B-A-Si(OR)3-nRn (I)
• wherein each R is independently a substituted or unsubstituted, alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a —C(O)R group where R is as hereinbefore defined;
• n is 0, 1 or 2;
• each A is a divalent organic radical;
• and
• B is a poly(oxyalkylene) linking group, a polyurethane linking group, or a poly(meth)acrylate linking group wherein the poly(oxyalkylene) linking group or the polyurethane linking group has a number average molar mass in the range of 600 to 20,000 g mol−1 and the poly(meth)acrylate linking group has a number average molar mass in the range of 600 to 40,000 g mol−1, whereby
• the residual matrix strength of the particulates is increased and their migration from the formation is reduced or prevented,
• the consolidation formation is flexible, and
• the consolidation formation maintains its permeability.