Just a question, wouldn't you expect a short term loss for a long term gain?
But the question being raised regards the extent to which the proposed long term gains may be illusory, a product of billions of dollars in Federal tax subsidies and near zero interest rates. Also, how many years of production do each of these wells, once drilled, provide? Some sources I've read say five years is average. Not much of a "long term" potential for making up losses in that, if true.
Increased production of oil varies in time by the geological area.
Some hard rock areas that have been fracked will offer longer times in increased production. Some shale areas are shorter.
In the case of shale, once the well has diminished, the rig can come back to the pad, go down the hole and drill horizontally in another direction, frack that area, and enjoy the same return they had from the original production.
