The work reported in this paper addresses some of the principal properties of corrosion
inhibitors and how these impact the ultimate fate of the inhibitor in a production system.
Specifically, the partitioning behavior of corrosion inhibitors is discussed and how this is
affected by changes in inhibitor structure, temperature, brine salinity and oil type.
Competitive, parasitic adsorption onto unwanted surfaces is discussed. The affinity of
various corrosion inhibitors for sand, iron sulfide, barium sulfate, iron carbonate and
emulsion drop surfaces is presented. Additionally, the ability for corrosion inhibitors to
stabilize both oil-in water and water-in-oil emulsions is discussed. Phase inversion of the
emulsion is demonstrated as production variables change.