New nondamaging, aqueous crosslinked gel with improved fracturing properties and perfect proppant support

This study discusses the properties and applications of a new water-base fracturing fluid. In particular, it discusses its leak-off characteristics, its rheological behavior, and its proppant-transport capability. Additionally, it gives examples of its use in the field, including production information. The subject gel was designed to overcome the limitations of the early cross-linked gels. It features a moderate polymer loading which, when complexed with an organometallic chelate, furnishes high but not excessive viscosity combined with perfect proppant transport. It features good leak-off control and is residue-free when broken. Some case histories are presented.