Why does Stuart have to acknowledge your posts? You seems to asking be a fairly basic, if important, question. Instead of making an effort to research it yourself, you are demanding that an editor address it. This site has thouands of readers, many who have been here much longer than you. I think it is perfectly acceptable to ask questions, although it is better to try to find answers and contribute yourself. But to insist that a single individual, who spends hundreds of hours of his free time contributing already, reply directly seems selfish and self-important. If I were Stuart, I would ignore you on principle.

With all due respect, Jack, I think you are being a bit hard on poor Zach.  I speak as someone who also went through a bit of a painful learning process about the social dynamics of TOD some months back.  But now I know how things work around here, and I have become a "well-adjusted" member of the TOD community!

Note to Zach: Don't let this disappointment drive you away!

Thanks for your help Phil. I owe you two now...

Wow, Jack. Where to begin...

First, I would like to say that whether it is positive or negative criticism, I welcome it. So thanks! At least I know that you don't find the questions important, which is your opinion and you are of course entitled to it. But, as Agric so eloquently stated, "it is an important question both for the amount we can actually recover and for the effects it will have on subsequent depletion rates. I, too, look forward to the comments of our more expert folks here." I couldn't have said it better myself.

Secondly, everything you have accused me of not doing, or not willing to do, I said I have done or said I would do. Just read my posts sir. I stated that I don't want to appear too pushy and I was not being sarcastic or anything. I am understanding of people's time, especially people who volunteer it on a great site like this (I have been reading TOD since late 2004, just didn't see a need to post. The analysis and commentary was quite thorough.). In fact, Agric saw this and commended me. He obviously meant it.
Thirdly, I would like to concede that singling out Stuart turned out to be a bad idea here at TOD, but it requesting info form specific people works fine on Every Other Blog and Messageboard I've Been To. My 'acknowledgement before Ghawar is empty' statement had a smiley face on the end, indicating that it was a light hearted request and that I was eagerly awaiting a response, not demanding one. pfft.. You miss understood and took it as an opportunity for criticism. Which leads me to my next point.

Fourthly, after Leanan and Agric's very helpful posts you come off as a blog troll who has nothing better to do but criticize and make assumptions about what other people have done or will do. If it was my forum or blog, you'd have Strike 1 of 3.

Have a nice day and thank you all again for your help.

It should have read, "As far as price and demand elasticity,"

sigh..

Jack is the Oil Drum's drill-sergeant and resident lawyer. He was trying to shape Zach's inherent brilliance. Nobody better to teach. Get in line, soldiers.