"Ethomeen" C/15 effectively prevents a montmorillonite core from swelling and from losing permeability. this can be demonstrated by treating a synthetic core containing 2% montmorillonite with "Ethomeen" C/15 dissolved in brine. Subsequent exposure of the treated core to distilled water showed that more than 90% of the original permeability remained, even after 2,000 cc of distilled water had flowed through the core. This property of "Ethomeen" C/15 is important in maintaining high water permeability in strata containing water sensitive clays.