Patent ID: 8869895

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) consists essentially of a monomer or monomers selected from the group consisting of esters of acrylic acid, maleic acid, methacrylic acid, esters of methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, fumeric acid, citraconic acid, mesoconic acid, and any alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, or ammonium salt of any of the foregoing, and any combination of any of the foregoing, wherein the monomer or monomers are not grafted to a polymer backbone; (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 maintained under a temperature condition 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 maintained under a temperature condition 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.