Compositions may contain an oleaginous base fluid, and a branched amidoamine surfactant prepared from the reaction of an alkylene amine or an oligoalkylene amine and a branched acid having a C4 to C24 primary hydrocarbon chain, and having one or more C1 to C24 branches. Methods may include emplacing a wellbore fluid into a wellbore, wherein the wellbore fluid contains an oleaginous base fluid; and a branched amidoamine surfactant prepared from the reaction of an alkylene amine or an oligoalkylene amine and a branched acid having a C4 to C24 primary hydrocarbon chain, and having one or more C1 to C24 branches.