Set retarder cement compositions and methods

The invention provides set retarder additives, set retarder hydraulic cement compositions and methods of use of set retarder cement compositions for cementing subterranean zones in wells. A preferred set retarder additive includes one alkanolamine salt produced by reaction of a hydroksykarboksysyre, such as tartaric, gluconic or glukohepton- acid, with an alkanolamine such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine or triethanolamine.