TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The sulfonic acid-functionalized co-resin comprises the residue of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropyl sulfonic acid (AMPS). It is a copolymer having predominantly monomer units with sulfonic acid groups or predominantly AMPS monomer units. It is a copolymer which includes the residues of N,N-dimethylacrylamide (NNDMA) and AMPS. The copolymer comprises 60-99 wt.% AMPS monomer units and 1-40 wt.% NNDMA monomer units. The slurry further comprises 0.25-3% bwoc of a dispersant consisting of calcium lignosulfonates, beta-naphthalene sulfonates, sulfonated melamine formaldehyde condensates, polyaspartates, and/or sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate resins, preferably sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate resin. A cellulose derivative with the cement slurry. The cellulose derivative is hydroxyethyl cellulose or carboxymethylhydroxyethyl cellulose.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Properties: The polyvinyl alcohol resin has a characteristic viscosity of 2-15, preferably 3-10, more preferably 5-7 cps. It is 80-95, preferably 84-90,more preferably 87-90, most preferably 87-89% hydrolyzed based on polyvinyl acetate monomer content. It is derived from polyvinyl acetate homopolymer. The weight ratio of polyvinyl alcohol resin to sulfonic acid-functionalized co-resin is 1:1-20:1, preferably 2.5:1-10:1, more preferably 3:1-10:1, most preferably 4:1-8:1. The total resin content is 15-30, preferably 15-25 wt.%. The viscosity of the concentrate is 100-12000, preferably 500-10000, more preferably 1000-8000 cps at 20degreesC. The polyvinyl alcohol resin and the sulfonic acid-functionalized co-resin are substantially fully dissolved. The polyvinyl alcohol resin is provided to the aqueous concentrate in fine particulate form, wherein the particulate resin is of a size such that greater than or equal to 99% of the resin passes through an 80 mesh sieve. The slurry exhibits a plastic viscosity of less than 250, preferably 50-200 cps at 110degreesF. It has a yield point of 0-16, preferably 0-12 lbs/100 ft2 at 110degreesF. It exhibits a free water value of less than 10, preferably les than 4% at 170degreesF. It exhibits a thickening time of less than 6, preferably 3 hours when measured according to a standard schedule having a final temperature of 120degreesF and a final pressure of 6000 psi. It has a compressive strength of 50 psi in less than 10 hours when measured at 197degreesF and 9500 psi; and 500 psi in less than 11 hours when measured at 197degreesF and 9500 psi. It has a zero gel time of 3-7 hours when measured at 197degreesF and 9500 psi; transition time of less than 1.5 hours when measured at 197degreesF and 9500 psi. EXAMPLE - A quantity of water was added to a mixing vessel and hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol powder was added. The mixture was heated to 85degreesC for 60 minutes to produce a solution of polyvinyl alcohol. From this solution 1.0% bwoc of the polyvinyl alcohol was mixed with 0.5% bwoc dispersant powder and water with the balance Class H cement to produce a cement slurry with a density of 16.2 pounds per gallon. The cement slurry was conditioned per API standards for 20 minutes and placed in a Fluid Loss Cell. Fluid loss was measured at 110degrees F and 1000 psig for 30 minutes and the slurry was checked for plastic viscosity and yield point. The slurry exhibited an API Fluid Loss of 13 mL/30 minutes. The plastic viscosity was 81 cP and the yield point was -2 lb/100 ft2.