A method of reducing hydrolysis in a hydrocarbon stream comprising adding to a
hydrocarbon stream containing a chloride compound which undergoes hydrolysis at
elevated temperatures in the presence of water to form hydrochloric acid, an effective
amount of a treating agent that is at least one overbased complex of a metal salt
and an organic acid complexing agent, the treating agent being added to hydrocarbon
stream when the stream is at a temperature below which any substantial hydrolysis
of the chloride containing compound occurs.
