Abstract: A pumpable slurry of coal-filled furfuryl alcohol, furfural, and/or a low molecular weight mono- or copolymer thereof containing, preferably, a catalytic amount of a soluble acid catalyst is used to cement a casing in a geothermal well.

Abstract: Aqueous silicate solutions when admixed, intermingled or otherwise contacted with hydraulic cement slurries cause a very rapid gelation and accelerated setting of the hydraulic cement composition.It has now been discovered that this rapid gelation/accelerated setting phenomenon can be controlled and substantially delayed by incorporating a water soluble inorganic phosphate salt into an aqueous spacer fluid positioned between said silicate solution and said cement slurry as such materials are being sequentially injected into a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A hydratable cement composition useful for preparing a pectolite-containing expanding cement at temperatures above about 150.degree. C. comprising a water soluble sodium salt of a weak acid, a 0.1 molar aqueous solution of which salt has a pH of between about 7.5 and about 11.5, a calcium source, and a silicon source, where the atomic ratio of sodium to calcium to silicon ranges from about 0.3:0.6:1 to about 0.03:1:1; aqueous slurries prepared therefrom and the use of such slurries for plugging subterranean cavities at a temperature of at least about 150.degree. C.The invention composition is useful for preparing a pectolite-containing expansive cement having about 0.2 to about 2 percent expansion, by volume, when cured at at least 150.degree. C.

Abstract: A retarded aqueous hydraulic cement slurry is provided containing, in addition to water and a hydraulic cement, a retarder selected from the group consisting of: (a) alkaline earth metal salts of mono- and di-carboxylic acid derivatives of simple sugars, (b) alkaline earth metal salts of borate esters of mono- and di-carboxylic acid derivatives of simple sugars, and (c) mixtures of any two or more of the foregoing. Unexpectedly, the retarder of the present invention is compatible with polyamine type fluid loss agents and with certain thixotropic cements. Also, the retarder is sufficiently water soluble so that it can be prepared as a liquid additive, thereby simplifying mixing procedures in remote locations such as offshore well platforms.