Surfactant selection methods for wetting alteration in subterranean formations

A method comprising:

• providing a sample of oil from at least a portion of a subterranean formation;
• determining the total acid number (TAN) and the total base number (TBN) of the oil sample by measuring the TAN and the TBN at a site where a well bore penetrating at least a portion of the subterranean formation is located, wherein the TAN of the oil sample is greater than the TBN of the oil sample;
• based on the TAN of the oil sample being greater than the TBN of the oil sample by a difference of about 3.02 or greater, evaluating two or more cationic surfactants for a treatment in at least a portion of the subterranean formation without evaluating any anionic surfactants for the treatment in the portion of the subterranean formation;
• and
• introducing a treatment fluid into the subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture in the subterranean formation, the treatment fluid comprising at least one of the two or more cationic surfactants.