The present invention relates to novel methods to stimulate a hydrocarbon-bearing formation; in particular, techniques are disclosed for shooting perforations aligned with the direction of probable fracture propagation; this is followed by fracturing using a low viscosity fluid, preferably a viscoelastic surfactant-based fluid; the combination yields surprising results with respect to optimized fracture efficiency (i.e., ideal height, and half-length more closely approaches the true fracture length due to superior clean up properties of the fluids).