The corrosion rates of API X65 mild steel alloy in CO2 - containing produced water have been studied by weight loss technique, potentiodynamic polarization technique and characterization of the corroded surface techniques. The effect of temperature, speed of rotation, pH and acetic acid concentration were studied. The optimum condition in presence and absence of protective film were also addressed. The kinetic parameters and reaction behavior were discussed in details. Corrosion rates increases with increasing temperature, acetic acid concentration, and speed of rotation, and decreased with increasing solution pH. The primary corrosion product of API X65 mild steel is ferrous carbonate (FeCO3) at high temperatures, high pH's (alkaline media) and absence of acetic acid, which could act as a protective film so that CO2 corrosion rate can be reduced. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.