Non-Ionic Surfactant wetting agent is a liquid surfactant that rapidly alters the surface tension on dispersed particles in water-based drilling fluids leading to lower flow properties of the drilling fluid. NON-IONIC SURFACTANT wetting agent can also be used to stabilize the flow properties and gel strengths of water-based drilling fluids exposed to high temperatures. Small concentrations of NON-IONIC SURFACTANT wetting agent are typical in land-based drilling applications.