North Dakota crude oil production fell for the third month in a row, ticking down 0.4% in February and hitting its lowest level in 18 months. Slumping oil prices are starting to affect output in U.S. shale fields, including the prolific Bakken formation in North Dakota. Oil production in the state dropped to 1.11 million barrels a day in February from 1.12 million barrels a day in January , according to the latest data from the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources. The state’s output hasn’t been that low since July 2014. The slightly lower production in February follows a 2.6% drop in January and a 2.5% slide in December , data from the department show. February’s slower pace of decline reflected an uptick in completions of previously drilled wells, as cash-strapped producers sought to boost revenue despite low oil prices, said Lynn Helms, director of the state’s Department […]