| abstract |
An aqueous gel containing a crosslinking agent comprising an organotitanate chelate and a retarding agent which delays crosslinking of the gel. This retarding agent comprises a selected polyhydroxycarboxylic acid having from 3 to 7 carbon atoms. The gel is useful for fracturing and placing propping agents within a subterranean formation. The gel has a high viscosity in the formation and has pumping characteristics in turbulent flow similar to those of water. |