In early 2003, a process was field-trialed that challenged the conventional Basin-wide understanding of the acceleration of reserve recovery.  It was discovered that eliminating or substantially lowering the density differential between the proppant and the carrying fluid accomplished two critical objectives.  First, the generation of extremely long and conductive induced hydraulic fractures became possible, since the carrying fluid had unit viscosity and the proppant did not settle appreciably.  Second, removing all or most of the polymer from the fracturing fluid may have prevented propped fracture filter cake damage, the impact of which may have been radically underestimated in the past. 

The result is a process that has repeatedly shown to significantly accelerate the rate of reserve recovery.  The results of approximately 280 treatments performed in the Permian Basin are summarized and discussed.  Public data on several of the early treatments is reported.