Abstract: Method is provided for increase production rate and improving economics of hydraulic fracturing of a well where a fracture can be formed extending a greater distance than the thickness of the pay zone in the well. A settling fluid containing proppant is injected to form a bank or pile of proppant that extends beyond the pay zone.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a novel method of fracturing subterranean coal formations as a means for stimulating the production of coalbed methane. A highly conductive proppant pack is emplaced in the fracture during the fracturing treatment that has a particle size gradient ranging from about 40/70 mesh at the leading tip of the fracture to about 12/20 mesh at the trailing base of the fracture. The fracturing process is conventional in the sense that the materials and equipment used in the process are well known. The manner in which such materials and equipment are used to fracture coal degasification wells is new.