A method is provided for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore comprising the steps of: a) forming a phosphate ester gelled hydrocarbon fracturing fluid comprising a liquid hydrocarbon and a an alkyl phosphate gelling agent; b) adding said fluid a delayed gel breaker, c) injecting said fluid down a well, and d) allowing said breaker to break the fracturing fluid gel after an initial delay period and destabilize a metal crosslink in said gel, reducing the volatile phosphorous present in the fluid by at least about 25%.
