Advancements in Developing Sustainable Oil Field Corrosion Inhibitor and Sulfiding Agent Chemistries

Abstract The performance of environmentally friendly inhibitor raw materials developed from renewable feedstocks for oilfield applications has been investigated. The study focuses on a low toxicity, highly biodegradable, sulfate-free, and ethoxylate-free non-ionic raw material that offers a sustainable alternative to conventional inhibitor components. The study also evaluated a new sulfiding agent with low toxicity that could replace conventional agents like mercaptans, which release H2S gas at high temperatures. Electrochemical experiments were conducted using Rotating Cylinder Electrode (RCE) and High-Pressure, High-Temperature Rotating Cage Autoclave (HTHP-RCA) methodologies to assess corrosion behavior in both sweet and sour environments. The novel sustainable corrosion inhibitor, synthesized from sustainable feedstocks, demonstrated excellent protection in sweet systems, achieving low corrosion rates with outstanding protection efficiency, while maintaining strong performance in sour systems. Surface analysis revealed minimal localized corrosion with shallow pitting depths in sweet environments and moderate depths in sour conditions, substantially outperforming conventional alternatives. Concurrently, the environmentally friendly sulfiding agent achieved protection efficiency comparable to conventional alternatives while offering superior ecological benefits. This study offers insights into developing more environmentally sustainable corrosion management solutions without compromising performance, thus contributing to the advancement of sustainable corrosion inhibitor products for the oil and gas industry.