Cementitious compositions and methods for preparing and using the cementitious compositions to yield hardened concrete. The cementitious compositions yield hardened concrete having reduced or attenuated water vapor emission and lower internal relative humidity (IRH). Cementitious compositions are characterized by the property of rapid surface drying while maintaining good workability, particularly when using porous lightweight aggregates that absorb substantial amounts of water. Methods of decreasing water availability and increasing surface drying of concrete, including lightweight concrete, are provided. A water soluble ionic salt may be used to sequester water within the pores and capillaries of the cement paste and/or porous lightweight aggreate by modifying the colligative propertie of pore water. The salt may be added directly to concrete or the concrete mix water, or, alternatively, aggregates may be infused with a water-salt solution to provide treated porous aggregates having improved water saturation and water retention.

Cementitious compositions and methods for preparing and using the cementitious compositions to yield hardened concrete. The cementitious compositions yield hardened concrete having reduced or attenuated water vapor emission and lower internal relative humidity (IRH). Cementitious compositions are characterized by the property of rapid surface drying while maintaining good workability, particularly when using porous lightweight aggregates that absorb substantial amounts of water. Methods of decreasing water availability and increasing surface drying of concrete, including lightweight concrete, are provided. A water soluble ionic salt may be used to sequester water within the pores and capillaries of the cement paste and/or porous lightweight aggreate by modifying the colligative propertie of pore water. The salt may be added directly to concrete or the concrete mix water, or, alternatively, aggregates may be infused with a water-salt solution to provide treated porous aggregates having improved water saturation and water retention.

A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore comprises: introducing into the subterranean formation a treatment fluid comprising a carbonate producing agent, urea, and a cation source; allowing a carbonate precipitate to form, the carbonate precipitate comprising a cation from the cation source and having a water solubility of less than about 0.1 g/100 mL at 25 C. and atmospheric pressure; and reducing or substantially preventing the passage of formation particles from the subterranean formation into the wellbore while allowing passage of formation fluids from the subterranean formation into the wellbore.

A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore comprises: introducing into the subterranean formation a treatment fluid comprising a carbonate producing agent, urea, and a cation source; allowing a carbonate precipitate to form, the carbonate precipitate comprising a cation from the cation source and having a water solubility of less than about 0.1 g/100 mL at 25 C. and atmospheric pressure; and reducing or substantially preventing the passage of formation particles from the subterranean formation into the wellbore while allowing passage of formation fluids from the subterranean formation into the wellbore.

A formulation for use as a lost circulation preventive material is a cement-forming aqueous fluid comprising water, at least one viscoelastic surfactant (VES), at least one monovalent or multivalent salt, at least one magnesium powder, and at least one retarder. The formulation is used in a method of drilling into a subterranean formation that includes introducing into a wellbore passing at least partially through the subterranean formation the cement-forming aqueous fluid, and further increasing the viscosity of the aqueous fluid by the action of the VES forming elongated micelles; where the at least one monovalent salt is present in an amount effective to pseudo-crosslink the elongated VES micelles to further increase the viscosity of the aqueous fluid. The formulation further forms a cement by reacting the at least one magnesium powder and the water which reaction is retarded by the retarder. The water may be saline water.

A formulation for use as a lost circulation preventive material is a cement-forming aqueous fluid comprising water, at least one viscoelastic surfactant (VES), at least one monovalent or multivalent salt, at least one magnesium powder, and at least one retarder. The formulation is used in a method of drilling into a subterranean formation that includes introducing into a wellbore passing at least partially through the subterranean formation the cement-forming aqueous fluid, and further increasing the viscosity of the aqueous fluid by the action of the VES forming elongated micelles; where the at least one monovalent salt is present in an amount effective to pseudo-crosslink the elongated VES micelles to further increase the viscosity of the aqueous fluid. The formulation further forms a cement by reacting the at least one magnesium powder and the water which reaction is retarded by the retarder. The water may be saline water.

A cement composition for use in a well that penetrates a subterranean formation comprising: cement; water; and an additive comprising zirconium dioxide, wherein at least a portion of the zirconium dioxide is in a metastable tetragonal phase, and wherein some or all of the zirconium dioxide that is in the metastable tetragonal phase transforms to a stable monoclinic phase after a stress is applied to the cement composition. The additive also reduces the dimensions of a crack located within the set cement composition. A method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprising: introducing a cement composition into the subterranean formation.

A cement composition for use in a well that penetrates a subterranean formation comprising: cement; water; and an additive comprising zirconium dioxide, wherein at least a portion of the zirconium dioxide is in a metastable tetragonal phase, and wherein some or all of the zirconium dioxide that is in the metastable tetragonal phase transforms to a stable monoclinic phase after a stress is applied to the cement composition. The additive also reduces the dimensions of a crack located within the set cement composition. A method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprising: introducing a cement composition into the subterranean formation.

A method of cementing a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation comprises injecting into the wellbore a settable slurry comprising: an aqueous carrier; an aggregate; urea; a calcium source; and a calcium carbonate producing agent comprising a microbe, an enzyme, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; and allowing the slurry to set.

A method of cementing a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation comprises injecting into the wellbore a settable slurry comprising: an aqueous carrier; an aggregate; urea; a calcium source; and a calcium carbonate producing agent comprising a microbe, an enzyme, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; and allowing the slurry to set.