Mechanistic microbiologically influenced corrosion modeling—A review

•Most mechanistic MIC models reviewed based their prediction on SRB as the main player.•Few models considered the effect of biofilm specific environmental conditions.•No model was found to accurately correlate sessile and planktonic bacteria.•Non biological source of sulphate was taken into consideration in literature.•Most models lack lab or field validation for actual environmental conditions. At present, most Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) models used in the petroleum industry are risk based, and predict the likelihood of MIC. It is imperative that the industry adopts mechanistic models to accurately quantify MIC in pipes/facilities. This paper summarizes the findings of a literature review of mechanistic MIC models available in the public domain. The results indicated that most of the models reviewed consider Sulphate Reducing Bacteria (SRB) as the main players in MIC, and very few models consider biofilm formation and transport phenomena. Furthermore, no models were found to accurately correlate sessile and planktonic bacteria.