Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop an empirical equation of SRB corrosion based on their metabolic species. Design/methodology/approach: Solution containing SRB metabolic species was simulated using abiotic chemistry approach. Linear polarization technique was used to measure the corrosion rate of X52-sample in simulated solution containing SRB metabolic products species. The curve obtained from LPR data was then fitted using multiple non-linear regression method by Minitab 15® software. Findings: Statistical analysis shows that sulphide and sulphite have significant effect on the X52 corrosion rate. Originality/value: Using abiotic chemistry approach, an empirical equation that considers SRB metabolic species has been developed. The equation could be used to predict carbon steel corrosion rate by SRB. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.