Silicone oligomers with heigher alkoxy groups

An oligomer of the formula: [R 3 SiO ½ ] m [O ½ Si(R 2 )O ½ ] n [SiO {fraction (3/2)} R] o [SiO {fraction (4/2)} ] p (I) wherein each R is selected individually from the group consisting of R 1 , -OR 2 and -OR 3 ; each R 1 is independently a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group; each R 2 is a C 1 -C 6 alkyl group or an acyl group; and each R 3 is a independently an alkyl or alkenyl group having at least 8 carbon atoms; with the provisos that if R 3 is alkenyl, there is no unsaturation within two carbon atoms adjacent to the oxygen atom of the -OR 3 group; at least one R group is -OR 3 ; at least one quarter of all R groups are -OR 2 or -OR 3 ; m=2 to 20; n=0 to 50; o=0 to 20; and p=0 to 10. The oligomer is a useful component of in insulation formulations for wire and cable used in underground locations.