A viscous substance, a jelly-like material used in well stimulation and formation fracturing to suspend sand or other proppants in the fracturing medium. Gelling agents are mixed with water or light oil to form an emulsion that will carry a quantity of sand for various well workover procedures. a semisolid, jellylike state assumed by some colloidal dispersions at rest. When agitated, the gel converts to a fluid state. (See gel strength and thixotrophy.)
