As crude oil prices hold relatively stable, North Dakota, the No. 2 oil producer in the nation, saw its rig count hold steady from last week, state data show. The state government reports 32 rigs engaged in exploration and production activities in the state, unchanged from last week, but 71 percent lower than this time last year. Rig counts serve as a barometer for the health of the energy sector. Crude oil prices are down about 15 percent from last year and more than 60 percent below levels two years ago. Slumping oil prices means energy companies have less capital to invest in exploration and production and North Dakota’s rig count is down 83 percent from this date in 2014. […]