Gas well stimulating with a viscous water base fracturing fluid

A viscous water base, non-Newtonian fracturing fluid has been used to successfully stimulate 7 Wilcox (upper Eocene) and 2 Vicksburg (lower Oligocene) gas wells. An average gas production increase of 2.8 MMcfd was achieved as compared to 0.7 MMcfd for treatments performed on similar completions with treated low-viscosity fluids. The principal application of this high-viscosity fluid is in the stimulation of reservoirs with bottom-hole temperatures ranging from 200/sup 0/ to 400/sup 0/F. Use of the fluid results in wider fractures, placement of higher proppant concentrations and better proppant distribution than is achieved with low-viscosity fluids. This significant improvement to stimulation response has been attributed to higher fracture conductivity and longer propped fracture length. (12 refs.)