Green corrosion inhibitors come of age

Oil and gas industry has made great strides in improving the effectiveness of green inhibitors, or corrosion inhibitors that protect deep-water pipelines and that do not harm the environment. A commercial inhibitor includes actual inhibiting compounds, which is often an amine, solvent, and sometimes a dispersant, emulsifier, demulsifier, or other additives to improve certain physical properties. Inhibitors must have specific physical properties to allow delivery to the pipeline in addition to controlling corrosion. Recent innovations have helped to dispel the notion that a single corrosion inhibitor cannot offer effectiveness and environmental friendliness. Users and suppliers of deepwater pipelines are proving that the chemicals can be both effective and environmentally despite lingering regulatory and technical challenges.