[xcamel]

..used as a “scare tactic” by the loony left - prior to that it was an academic exercise to estimate peak production levels based on existing technology at the time...

[thackney]

existing technology at the time

Very key phrase even today. The advances in many areas related to oil exploration and production continue to make changes in the economic recovery of known oil fields. We have already produced more from Prudhoe Bay than was initially believed to be recoverable.