North Dakota exploration and production activity moved slightly lower after a steady string of modest gains, state data published Monday show. State data show 34 rigs actively exploring for or producing oil and gas as of Monday , one less than reported last week. Rigs counts are a loose metric gauging optimism in the energy sector and last week was characterized by wide intra-day swings in crude oil prices as investors took stock of earnings and economic data released last week . Short-term movements in oil prices were fueled by comments from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries that demand for oil would increase during the latter half of the year. […]