Study of the Effectiveness of Bio-Inhibitors Extracted from Thymus Plants Against Bacterial Corrosion in the Haoud Berkaoui Oil Field

Abstract

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) presents a significant challenge to the integrity of oilfield infrastructure, particularly in the Haoud Berkaoui oil field, where both chemical agents such as CO₂ and H₂S and corrosive bacterial species like sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) accelerate equipment degradation. This study investigates the corrosion-inhibiting properties of Thymus plant extract as a natural, eco-friendly alternative to conventional chemical inhibitors. The extract, rich in bioactive compounds such as thymol, carvacrol, and flavonoids, was tested at various concentrations on X62 steel specimens in simulated oilfield conditions. Electrochemical measurements performed using a VoltaLab workstation revealed that the addition of Thymus extract significantly reduced corrosion current densities and shifted corrosion potentials toward more negative values, indicating cathodic inhibition behavior. The protective effect is attributed to the adsorption of active molecules onto the metal surface, forming a barrier against corrosive species and bacterial metabolites. These results suggest that Thymus extract offers effective corrosion protection while contributing to sustainable, environmentally responsible corrosion management practices in the hydrocarbon sector. Further optimization and field testing are recommended to validate its industrial applicability and long-term performance.