Oven drying of sediment samples at 105ºC at sea during Leg 164 produced water content and porosity results that are comparable to other methods of drying and do reflect actual in situ conditions in undisturbed cores despite the clay-rich composition of the sediment. Therefore, the original shipboard index values are valid for use in gas hydrate and other models. Because smectite was present in relatively small amounts in Hole 995A sediment, and perhaps at other locations, the drying temperature had little effect on the calculation of porosity and other index properties. However, future ODP legs may want to address the drying temperature issue during an early stage of the cruise.