As the state’s governor boasts of strong economic growth in 2014, North Dakota data show activity in the exploration and production sector is in decline. State data for Tuesday show the number of rigs actively exploring for or producing oil and natural gas in North Dakota is 76, an increase of a single rig above the lowest count recorded since 2009. The number of rigs deployed in North Dakota is down nearly 60 percent from last year and 64 percent, or 138 rigs, below the historic peak reached in 2012. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis last week reported gross domestic product in North Dakota increased 6.3 percent last year, beating out all other U.S. states. Gov. Jack Dalrymple said […]