Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing the permeability of the more permeable zone of an underground formation having nonuniform permeability, the method comprised of injecting into the formation a blend comprised of a surfactant and an alcohol, said blend introduced in an amount effective to reduce the permeability of the more permeable zone of the formation. The preferred surfactant is an amine oxide, most preferably dimethyltallowamine oxide, delivered in water. The preferred alcohol is isopropanol. The disclosed method may optionally comprise the further step of injecting an alcohol slug following injection of the surfactant and alcohol blend.