Will,

I disagree that the 3.96 mbpd figure doesn't address the increasing amount of renewables available. The concept I intended to convey (though may have been unclear) is that these 3.96 mbpd go to the production of renewables, but the total production from those renewables must be dedicated to replacing declining oil production, and not to the production of future renewables. Current renewable energy generation is similarly negated--we're already relying on that energy generation to meet current consumption requirements, and therefore diverting that generation to produce new renewables would impose the very economic burden I'm trying to convey with the 3.96 mbpd figure.

Regarding the degredation of EROEI as legacy infrastrcuture goes off-line, my statement pertained to "the same renewable technology." I agree that technology may improve, but that would be comparing to a moving target. Instead, my argument is that this legacy effect will reduce the gains from (assumed) technological advances...