Surface activity and application performance of aqueous solutions of the nonylphenol polyoxyethylene ether propyl sulfonate (NPSO-5) were studied. The paper discussed the surface tension and the foaming Application and surface properties of sodium nonylphenol polyoxyethylenated propyl sulfonate(NPSO-5) were determined to elucidate the relationship between application/surface properties and hardness of water and oilfield water, then compared with LAS、AOS and AES. The effects of some additives, butyl alcohol and dodecanol on foaming properties were carried out. The wettability and emulsifyiability of NPSO-5 in hard water and the wettability in NaOH(aq) were also studied. The results showed that the foaming properties were better in hard water, and the additives enhanced the foaming properties to some extent by changing the structure of the foam film. Compared with LAS and AOS, NPSO-5 had a strong resistance to hard water. The critical micelle concentration(CMC) decreansed in the hardness of water. NPSO-5 surfactant still has excellent wettability and emulsifyiability in NaOH(aq) and hard water.