The increased challenges refiners face with frequent crude changes, processing of new opportunity crudes, and limited mechanical systems have resulted in difficult operations that require alternative treatment methods. In terms of chemical treatment, one potential option to alleviate difficult desalter operations is the use of acidification aids. This paper will cover the key drivers for desalter acidification, the benefits from this approach and the downstream effects (e.g., corrosion, fouling) from the application of this type of technology. Also discussed will be the different type of chemistries, reactions, the fate of acids in the desalting operation, and their potential impacts on downstream operations. Field experience and observations from acidification programs will be presented and discussed.