Data released Monday by the North Dakota government show the number of drilling rigs in active service down nearly 25 percent from the 2012 peak. Government data show 156 active rigs operations in the state as of Monday, a 16 percent decline from this date in 2014 and 22 percent lower than the historic peak recorded Jan. 26, 2012. Most of the rig activity was recorded in Williston County, host to the Bakken and Three Forks shale oil formations. The low price for crude oil is forcing energy companies to cut back on spending. Oil services company Baker Hughes last week said the number of rigs actively engaged in exploration or production was down 43 week-on-week, a sign the industry in general is starting to […]