High-Performance Corrosion Inhibitors for Sour and HPHT Environments: A Review of Recent Advances

Abstract Corrosion in sour (H2S rich) and high pressure, high temperature (HPHT) environments remain a major challenge in the oil and gas industry, contributing to equipment degradation, safety risks, and elevated operational costs. Conventional mitigation methods such as coatings, cathodic protection, and corrosion resistant alloys often underperform in these extreme conditions due to thermal instability, flow induced damage, or high implementation costs. This review highlights recent developments in corrosion control strategies tailored for HPHT sour service, with a focus on advanced corrosion inhibitors. Classes such as imidazolines, quaternary ammonium salts, polymers, and pyridine-based compounds are examined for their adsorption behavior, thermal stability, and compatibility with multiphase environments. Special attention is given to green and biodegradable formulations derived from natural sources, aligning with sustainability and regulatory trends. Emerging digital tools including AI driven design, quantum modeling, and real-time monitoring are transforming how inhibitors are developed, screened, and deployed.