Patent ID: 7299876

Claim:
A method of fracturing a portion of a subterranean formation comprising: providing a viscosified treatment fluid comprising a single salt aqueous fluid having a density of greater than about 9 pounds per gallon and a viscosifying agent, wherein: the single salt comprises a cation selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, cesium, and magnesium; the single salt comprises an anion selected from the group consisting of chloride, bromide, iodide, nitrate, acetate, cyanate, thiocyanate, and zinc complex anions; and the viscosifying agent is selected from the group consisting of crosslinked galactomannan gums, crosslinked galactomannan gum derivatives, crosslinked cellulose derivatives, crosslinked succinoglycan, and combinations thereof; and contacting the portion of the subterranean formation with the viscosified treatment fluid so as to create or enhance one or more fractures therein, wherein: the viscosified treatment fluid is introduced into a well bore that penetrates the portion of the subterranean formation to be fractured at a surface pressure of less than about 25,000 pounds per square inch.