Re:Why the peak? (Score 1)

Only so much oil was produced. It took millions upon millions of years. Some was easy to find and pump out, some hard. Most was in the middle. We started with easy. We just reached middle. Now it gets harder and harder.

Up until now a given amount of effort got so much oil. A little more effort got a little more oil. On the down slope it's the other way around. A little more effort gets a little less oil. Next time still more effort, still less oil. Eventually it takes more energy to get the oil than you can get from the oil.

At that point everyone decides to give up and go home.

As for facts and figures about oil fields, how much, etc. Start with "Peak Oil Primer."