The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in North Dakota is down roughly 20 percent from the start of the year, state data show. The North Dakota Industrial Commission reports 47 rigs in active service as of Monday, down about 20 percent from the start of January. Rig counts serve as a loose barometer to gauge the health of the oil sector and North Dakota’s trajectory roughly mirrors declines in crude oil prices. Even with a rally of more than 9 percent during Friday trading, the price for West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark price for crude oil, is down 15 percent from the start of […]