Abstract: An additive for deep-well cement slurries comprising a water-soluble anionic copolymer having a molecular weight from about 50,000 to 500,000 and comprising about 1 to 60 mole % of anionic structural units and about 99 to 40 mole % of nonanionic structural units. A preferred additive comprises a terpolymer of acrylamide, sodium acrylate and sodium vinylsulphonate. The additives retard the setting action of the slurry, stabilize the slurry, prevent the swelling of readily hydratable clays and are resistant to electrolytes which would accelerate setting and seepage of water from the slurry.