A method for evaluating the foamability of a test solution. The method includes forming foam in a vertical measurement column including an open top end and a fritted plate proximal to a bottom end by passing a gas stream through the fritted plate and through the test solution present in the vertical measurement column at a gas volume rate (GVR) and a gas flow rate (GFR). The foam travels upwards in the vertical measurement column while the gas stream is passing through the test solution. The method further includes measuring the viscosity of the foam with a vibration viscometer disposed proximal to the top end of the vertical measurement column, and further recording a plurality of vibration viscometer measurement results and storing the results (a surfactant amount C.sub.surf, the GVR, and the GFR) in memory to determine one or more foam properties of the test solution.

Screening multiple surfactants is performed by a screening method including passing foam compositions comprising a surfactant through a porous media while measuring pressure drop across the porous media until a first steady state pressure drop is achieved. Magnitude and frequency in oscillations of the first steady state pressure are measured. A gas is injected through the porous media while measuring the pressure drop across the porous media until a second steady state pressure drop is achieved. Magnitude and frequency in oscillations of the second steady state pressure drop are measured. Foam stability is determined based on the first steady state pressure drop, second steady state pressure drop, and magnitude and frequency of oscillations during the first and second steady states. Secondary oil recovery may include injecting a foam composition into an oil-containing reservoir, wherein the foam composition is based on results of the screening and properties of the oil-containing reservoir.