The Hubbert curve, named after the geophysicist M. King Hubbert, is the derivative of the logistic curve.

An example of a Hubbert curve is:

The Hubbert curve closely resembles the shape of, but is different from, the probability density function of the normal distribution. It was originally intended as a model of the rate of petroleum extraction. According to this model, the rate of production of oil is determined by the rate of new oil well discovery; a "Hubbert peak" in the oil extraction rate will thus be followed by a gradual decline of oil production, to nothing.

Note: for detailed discussion of petroleum exhaustion, please see the Hubbert peak article.