This paper presents a current review and update of the role the presence of volatile fatty acids play in the production problems related to sea water injection. Such production problems as corrosion, formation souring, deep water subsea injectivity and decline in injectivity are discussed. Conceptual souring models, methods of sampling and analysing for VFA and modern research methods developed towards VFA related sea water injection systems are reviewed. Areas for future research are indicated..
Key words: microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC); volatile fatty acids (VFA); formation souring; sea water injection; short-chain aliphatic acid anions (SCA).