Patent ID: 8853137

Claim:
A method of increasing the fracture complexity in a treatment zone of a subterranean formation, wherein the treatment zone is an interval of rock along a wellbore that is differentiated from surrounding rocks based on hydrocarbon content, fluid communication with the wellbore, faults, or fractures, wherein the subterranean formation is characterized by having a matrix permeability less than 1.0 microDarcy, the method comprising the step of: pumping two or more fracturing fluids into the treatment zone at a rate and pressure above the fracture pressure of the treatment zone for a total pumping volume of the two or more fracturing fluids pumped into the treatment zone that is greater than 2 wellbore volumes, wherein: (a) a first fracturing fluid of the two or more fracturing fluids is pumped into the treatment zone at least before the last 2 wellbore volumes of the total pumping volume, wherein the first fracturing fluid comprises a proppant, wherein the first fracturing fluid does not include a first solid particulate; and (b) a second fracturing fluid of the two or more fracturing fluids is pumped into the treatment zone after the first fracturing fluid is pumped into the treatment zone but at least before the last 2 wellbore volumes of the total pumping volume, wherein the second fracturing fluid comprises the first solid particulate; wherein the first solid particulate comprises a first particle size range effective for bridging the pore throats of a proppant pack formed in the treatment zone by the proppant of the first fracturing fluid, wherein the first particle size range has a lower end that is greater than or equal to about 1/13 th of the median particle size of the proppant, and wherein the first solid particulate is degradable.