Carbon dioxide corrosion inhibitors: current state of research and development

Among the methods of corrosion control in the oil and gas production industry the leading place belongs to inhibitor protection, since there is no need for technological and technical changes in the existing equipment. The combination of high variability of inhibitor composition with changing conditions of its application and low capital investments makes it an indispensable reagent at oil and gas fields. The main classes of compounds used as active bases of carbonic acid corrosion inhibitors for the protection of oil and gas equipment are described. Classical organic active bases containing heteroatoms (oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen) are examined. Special attention was paid to alkylimidazolines and other nitrogen-containing compounds as the most frequently used as active bases of carbonic acid corrosion inhibitors in Russia and abroad. A wide range of possibilities to achieve the desired properties of corrosion inhibitors by varying the substitutes has been demonstrated. Nowadays, in addition to the traditional requirements for corrosion inhibitors, their safety for the environment is equally important. The information on prospective research and development aimed at improving the environmental characteristics of the reagents used is given. Plant extracts, synthetic and biological polymers involved in traditional corrosion inhibitors or used as new independent compounds are considered. It is shown that the effectiveness of corrosion inhibitors significantly depends on the pH of the medium, temperature, partial pressure of СО2, flow rate, and other factors. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.