Hubbert linearization

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The Hubbert Linearization is a way to plot production data to estimate two important parameters of a Hubbert curve; the logistic growth rate and the quantity of the resource that will be ultimately recovered. The Hubbert curve is the first derivative of a Logistic function, which has been used in modeling depletion of crude oil, predicting the Hubbert peak, population growth predictions[1] and the depletion of finite mineral resources[2]. The technique was introduced by Marion King Hubbert in his 1982 review paper [3]. The geologist Kenneth S. Deffeyes has recently applied this technique to make a prediction about the peak production of conventional oil [4].

Principle

The first step of the Hubbert linearization consists of plotting the production data (P) as a fraction of the cumulative production (Q) on the vertical axis and the cumulative production on the horizontal axis. This representation exploits the linear property of the logistic differential equation:

\[\frac{dQ}{dt}=P=KQ\left(1 - \frac{Q}{URR}\right) \qquad \mbox{(1)} \!\]

where K and URR are the logistic growth rate and the Ultimate Recoverable Resource respectively. We can rewrite (1) as the following:

\[\frac{P}{Q}=K\left(1 - \frac{Q}{URR}\right) \qquad \mbox{(2)} \!\]

File:HubbertLin US Lower48.svg
Example of a Hubbert Linearization on the US Lower-48 crude oil production.

The above relation is a line equation in the P/Q versus Q plane. Consequently, a linear regression on the data points gives us an estimate of the slope and intercept from which we can derive the Hubbert curve parameters:

  • the K parameter is the intercept with the vertical axis.
  • the line slope is equal to -K/URR from which we derive the URR value.

Examples

US oil production

The chart on the right gives an example of the application of the Hubbert Linearization technique in the case of the US Lower-48 oil production. The fit of a line using the data points from 1956 to 2005 (in green) gives a URR of 199 Gb and a logistic growth rate of 6%.

World population

  • Other Examples
  • HubbertLin Norway.svg

    Hubbert Linearization on Norway's oil production

  • Hubbert Norway.svg

    Hubbert curve on Norway's oil production

  • HubbertLin US Lower48.svg

    Hubbert Linearization on US's oil production

  • Hubbert US Lower48.svg

    Hubbert curve on US's oil production

Alternative techniques

Second Hubbert linearization

The Hubbert linearization principle can be extended to the second derivatives[5] by computing the derivative of (2):

\[\frac{dP}{dt}\frac{1}{P}=K\left(1 - 2\frac{Q}{URR}\right) \qquad \mbox{(3)} \!\]

the left term is often called the decline rate.

Hubbert parabola

This representation was proposed by Roberto Canogar[6] and applied to the oil depletion problem:

\[P=KQ-\frac{K}{URR}Q^2 \qquad \mbox{(4)} \!\]

See also

23px This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (July 2010)

References

  1. ↑ Roper, David. "Projection of World Population". http://arts.bev.net/roperldavid/WorldPop.htm.
  2. ↑ Roper, David. "Where Have All the Metals Gone?" (PDF). http://www.roperld.com/minerals/metalgon.pdf.
  3. ↑ "Techniques of Prediction as Applied to the Production of Oil and Gas", in the collection Oil and Gas Supply Modeling, edited by Saul I. Gass (published as NBS Special Publication 631)
  4. ↑ Script error
  5. ↑ Khebab (2006-08-18). "A Different Way to Perform the Hubbert Linearization". The Oil Drum. http://www.theoildrum.com/story/2006/8/16/102942/337.
  6. ↑ Canogar, Roberto (2006-09-06). "The Hubbert Parabola". GraphOilogy. http://graphoilogy.blogspot.com/2006/09/hubbert-parabola.html.

External links


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