Abstract: A well, penetrating a subterranean fluid-producing formation, is effectively gravel packed by a method comprising two sequential steps. In the first step, a slurry of gravel and carrier fluid is introduced into the formation at a pressure substantially in excess of the formation fracture pressure. In the second step, a slurry of gravel and carrier fluid is introduced into the formation at a pressure below the formation fracture pressure. Wells so treated exhibit enchanced rates of production for longer periods of time than would be obtained with conventional gravel packing.