Synergistic inhibition effect between Cu2+ and cationic gemini surfactant on the corrosion of downhole tubing steel during secondary oil recovery of old wells

The synergistic inhibition effect between Cu2+ and cationic gemini surfactant namely; 1,2-ethane bis(N,N-dimethylhexadecylammonium bromide); on the corrosion behavior of downhole tubing steel during secondary oil recovery of old wells was investigated by weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The results revealed that Cu2+ and cationic gemini surfactant mixture had a good inhibitive effect on the corrosion of carbon steel in produced water from the oil well. The surface parameters of surfactant were calculated from surface tension measurements at the air–water interface. The nature of protective film formed on steel surface was studied using EDX and SEM.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Cationic gemini surfactant as corrosion inhibitor for down-hole tubing steel.
► A strong synergism between Cu2+ and surfactant in produced water from the oil well.
► Surfactant behaved as mixed type inhibitor and followed Langmuir adsorption isotherm.
► Rct was increased while Cdl was decreased by increasing the inhibitor concentration.
► The synthesized cationic gemini surfactant was exhibited good surface properties.