Patent ID: 8327938

Claim:
A method for cementing in a subterranean formation, the method comprising the steps of: (A) introducing a cement composition into the subterranean formation, the composition comprising: (i) cement; (ii) water; and (iii) a polymer, wherein the polymer: (a) comprises a monomer or monomers selected from the group consisting of epoxysuccinic acid, a substituted epoxysuccinic acid, and an alkali metal salt, alkaline earth metal salt, or ammonium salt of epoxysuccinic acid or substituted epoxysuccinic acid (b) has the following characteristics: (I) is water soluble; and (II) is biodegradable; and (c) is capable of providing: (I) a thickening time of at least 2 hours for a test composition at a temperature of 190° F. and a pressure of 5,160 psi, and (II) an initial setting time of less than 24 hours for the test composition at a temperature of 217° F. and a pressure of 3,000 psi, wherein the test composition consists of 860 grams of Class-H Portland cement, 325 grams of deionized water, and 0.4% by weight of the cement of the polymer; and (B) allowing the cement composition to set after introduction into the subterranean formation.