Abstract: A gelled aqueous fluoboric acid fluid useful as a carrying fluid for particulate solids (i.e. "gravel") to position such gravel in a wellbore against a permeable incompetent formation to minimize the migration of sand and other granular material from the formation into the wellbore when fluids are subsequently produced from the formation. For example, an 80 lb. per 1000 gallon aqueous gel of hydroxyethylcellulose containing about 8 wt percent fluoboric acid in the aqueous solution is loaded with from 10 to 20 lbs. of 20/40 mesh (0.42-0.84 mm) gravel and placed between a screen or slotted liner in the perforated casing and the face of an incompetent formation in a wellbore.