Humans leverage tools.

Whilst the energy out is greater than the human energy in, then the EROI is positive. For example, humans might use nuclear power to convert coal to oil at a loss of energy, yet still positive w.r.t. the human energy expended.

In short, the way they are calculating EROI is bullshit.

For as long as humans can produce more per capita, then economic growth continues. And remember that all profitable production will come from creativity.

When you have 10 million humans living in a city of high rise buildings with mass transportation, then oil is insignificant relative to growth in production of creativity.

Those who want to measure everything in physical metrics are dinosaurs entirely missing the computer revolution.