Downhole corrosion is one of the most important problems facing the oil and gas industry. By using various methods such as selecting appropriate materials, surface coating, use of corrosion inhibitors and cathodic protection, the corrosion rate can be significantly reduced. A better understanding of corrosion mechanisms and the development of new technologies can help improve efficiency and reduce costs in this industry.

Corrosion is a phenomenon that occurs in most environments, so no industry can be safe from the costs of corrosion. For example, the oil, gas and petrochemical industries, factories and heavy manufacturing industries (iron smelting, steelmaking, etc.), transportation, water and wastewater, are among the industries that are severely affected by this phenomenon. This section attempts to briefly examine corrosion in several important industries.

The destructive phenomenon of corrosion has a very long history, and mankind has always dealt with the problems caused by it, but scientific approach and study in this field do not have much history. In the middle of the 18th century, the phenomenon of corrosion was noticed, but no solution was presented to solve the problems caused by it.

Any process that delays corrosion is called corrosion inhibition (prevention of corrosion). In general, corrosion inhibition means reducing the rate of oxidation of a metal or adding a chemical compound that will be in contact with the solution in the system. The corrosion inhibitor may be added in liquid, vapor, or both. Specifically, a corrosion inhibitor is a chemical compound that is added to the liquid phase in such a way that it affects the metal surface.