Methods for selecting a surfactant for treating a subterranean formation based on the performance of the surfactant and the characteristics of the subterranean formation and the treatment fluids that may be used to treat that formation are provided. In one embodiment, the method may comprise providing a treatment fluid, formation materials, hydrocarbon, and a plurality of surfactants, wherein the hydrocarbon is acquired from a subterranean formation; selecting at least two surfactants from the plurality of surfactants by determining whether each of the plurality of surfactants separates a mixture of the treatment fluid and the hydrocarbon; and selecting at least one surfactant from the at least two surfactants by determining whether the hydrocarbon displaces the treatment fluid from the formation materials in the presence of each of the at least two surfactants.