I am a landowner in Phelps lease.  The lease has experienced good production but also a fairly steep drop-off from initial production numbers in March,  2013.  Then, December saw a 30% increase (approx.) in production over the previous month.  I noticed the Alexander lease had the same pattern for the same period of time.  Both are EOG wells. 

My question is ...how much control does the producer have over the amount produced each month?

I am familiar with the choke and its effect.  Is the choke adjusted during the course of the well's life, or just at the beginning? Do companies adjust production to react to market prices? Do companies try to reach a level, optimum production level to maximize return on the well?  Do companies have methods other than choke to control the amount produced each month or is it hit or miss each month?  What would cause a steady decline to be followed by one month of large increase?

I know, a lot of questions, but hopefully they are all related.

Thanks in advance,

JR