Why?
I am still not convinced by all the conspiracy theories (and I was a fan of the X Files). The assumptions about why lease holders insist on holding on to the leases are so simplistic that they approach the ridiculous. Also, those of us in the energy industry have all heard of the USGS geologist who had predicted that by 1970 we would have completely ran out of oil.
One thing that geologists and engineers always forget is the effect of simple economics in the production and consumption equation. I have seen so many horribly wrong forecasts prepared by engineers and geologists that at this point in my life I tend to dismiss them instantaneously.
The question I have of Mr. Berman et al is who gets to benefit (or in the alternative who really gets harmed). So, let's argue for a moment that they are correct. How do E&Ps benefti from "cooking their books"? The article tried to answer the question but I believe it failed. What is the motive? Come on I am sure you have an answer.
A_D_T
