Prior research has confirmed the occurrence of SCC of X60 and X65 pipeline steels in simulated fuel grade ethanol (SFGE) environments and has shown that this SCC is exacerbated by the presence of chloride ions and dissolved oxygen. These constituents also contribute to SCC in commercial fuel grade ethanol (FGE). This research seeks to elucidate the effects of chloride ions dissolved oxygen and pHe changes as well as the presence of a commercial inhibitor and denaturant on the nature of the passive film and passive film formation kinetics of X65 carbon steel in FGE and SFGE. Passivation kinetics of X65 steel were investigated in-situ via the scratching-electrode method. Nature and composition of the passive film were studied ex-situ with atomic force microscopy (AFM) X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and in-situ with an ellipsometry technique. Results indicate that Cl- ions slow repassivation and that the presence of organic acids may significantly enhance dissolution of steel where the film has been compromised.