Paper: Modern Inhibition Programs for Modern Petroleum Production Systems

The most important feature of an inhibitor protection program is how well the compound used matches the method of introduction into the system. This paper discusses those features of corrosion inhibitor compounds which are important for protection programs in producing oil and gas wells, in water floods, in gas-gathering lines, and in fire floods. In the process, the discussions will include the pros and cons of heavy inhibitors, of inhibitors for mixed-water systems and mixed air-hydrogen sulfide systems, and of vapor-phase inhibitors. Recent findings will be presented which illustrate the behavior of inhibitors when pumped into gas wells and which describe the use of a new organic inhibitor for aerated systems. Finally, monitoring methods for determining inhibitor effectiveness will be discussed.