The environmental fate of specialty chemicals used in petroleum recovery processes has received increased attention in recent years. Our Iaboratoty has contributed to early advances in this field. This paper outlines further systematic studies. The influences of alkoxylation, starting amine type, and acid chain length on imidazoline propetiles were studied in addition to the properties of blends. The properties considered were corrosion inhibition, biodegradability, marine organism toxicity, octanol/water partkioning, and vapor pressure. A cross section of field test and application results is included.