Corrosion inhibitors are film-forming surfactants that form water-impermeable barriers on metal surfaces. This prevents galvanic corrosion from occurring between the production pipework and the corrosive fluids that are produced through them.

It is a chemical compound that, when added to a liquid or gas, decreases the corrosion rate of a material, typically a metal or an alloy. The effectiveness of a corrosion inhibitor depends on fluid composition, quantity of water, and flow regime. A common mechanism for inhibiting corrosion involves formation of a coating, often a passivation layer, which prevents access of the corrosive substance to the metal.