Methods for Cementing Well Bores Using Cleaning Fluids with Nut Shells

Liners may be cemented in a well bore contaminated with an oil-based or synthetic fluid by injecting an aqueous cleaning fluid into the well, energizing the cleaning fluid to displace fluids present in an annulus between the liner and the bore and to create turbulent flow of the cleaning fluid in the annulus, and injecting a cementitious slurry into the annulus after the cleaning fluid. The cleaning fluid comprises a weighting agent, a suspending agent, a surfactant, and nut shell particulates. The turbulent flow of the cleaning fluid through the annulus is effective to remove oily residues left by the oil-based or synthetic fluid.