Cement compositions containing flexible, compressible beads and methods of cementing in subterranean formations

Abstract

Cement compositions comprising flexible, compressible beads, processes for preparing such cement compositions, and methods of cementing in subterranean formations using such cement compositions. One or more flexible, compressible beads are mixed with the cement before pumping the cement into a well bore. The flexible, compressible beads are preferably composed of an elastomeric material such as a copolymer of methylmethacrylate and acrylonitrile; a terpolymer of methylmethacrylate, acrylonitrile, and dichloroethane; a styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer; and polystyrene. The flexible, compressible beads may be heated to expand the beads before mixing with the cement such that the ensuing cement composition will have a desired density. Non-flexible beads such as spherulites may also be added to the cement compositions.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.