by shortonoil » Sun 24 Mar 2019, 11:11:48
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')he next step down in oil prices is coming? The MAP predicts $25 oil for 2019. We might just get $25 oil this year. That would be the end for the oil industry?
In the event of $25 crude for any extended period the only functioning producers remaining would be those receiving government subsidies. Those subsidies would have be huge, and in the present situation of massively over indebted central governments most likely fatal! We are presently at Peak (description below) and a significant decline in price at this juncture would result in a Post Peak production curve resembling a Seneca Cliff,
Peak is occurring because declines in existing formations have become greater than what new oil can be brought on line as replacement. Shale has been the only source to demonstrate production increases in more than a decade. To prevent Peak it has been necessary for Shale to replace both its own legacy decline, and that of conventional. Shale is no longer able to do that. In 2019 Shale will only have the capacity to replace 1.29 mb/d of conventional decline. 2018 witnessed conventional declines of at least 3% (the IEA states 4.5% per year which was not used here because it may have included Shale) or 2.12 mb/d. To prevent Peak Shale will fall short by at least 0.83 mb/d in 2019; by over 1.50 mb/d in 2020, and over 3.0 mb/d in 2021.
A simple calculation demonstrates the situation:
2018 Shale production - 8.03 mb/d
2017 " " - 6.44
2017 - 2018 increase (8.03 - 6.44) 1.59 mb/d
2017 - 2018 production decline that had to be made up during 2018 for production to begin increasing - 6.44 mb/d * 0.178 = 1.15 mb/d. (Shale declines 89% in its first five years 0.89/5 = 0.178 per year)
Total production added in 2018 = 1.15 mb/d + 1.59 mb/d = 2.74 mb/d per year.
Rig productivity equaled 2.74 mb/d /860 rigs / 365 days per year = 8.73 barrels produced per rig per day. (860 rigs - Baker Hughes 2018 yearly average)
A significant price decline would be devastating!
http://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_sum_sndw_dcus_nus_w.htm https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/drilling/http://www.thehillsgroup.org/