An aqueous, viscoelastic treating fluid gelled with a crosslinked guar or
guar derivative is stabilized and improved with an effective amount of a
glycol, such as ethylene glycol. These fluids are more stable in that
viscosity is maintained, particularly at elevated temperatures. The
additives may also increase viscosity to the point where less of a
crosslinked guar or guar derivative gelling agent is required to maintain
a given viscosity. These stabilized, enhanced, aqueous, viscoelastic
fluids may be used as treatment fluids for subterranean hydrocarbon
formations, such as in hydraulic fracturing.