"I believe the prudent flow rate is the one that gets you the most amount of oil is the long run.."

i dont disagree. but my point is that there is no way, short of a (impossible given the lack of data) thourough analysis of each and every case in the data base, to conclude what a prudent rate for a group of producers is from an imperical analysis.

a mer(maximum efficient rate) determination also has an economic component and thanks to a (usually) constant oil price assumption and discounted present worth analysis leads to higher, rather than lower production rate. sometimes to the detrement of ultimate recovery*.

in the us of a, rule of capture .......well......rules, that has lead to excessive wells being drilled, rapid depletion and ,imo, loss of reserves.

* the only case where a higher rate may result in greater recovery is in a water driven ng reservoir.