After a week of strong gains in crude oil prices, data from North Dakota show a level of stability in the level of exploration and production operations. Data from the North Dakota government show 68 rigs engaged in exploration and production in the state, unchanged from the previous week. Monday’s rig count is down 64 percent from this date in 2014. Rig counts serve as a barometer for the health of an energy sector burdened by depressed crude oil prices, down roughly 42 percent from this time last year. The price for West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark for crude oil prices, of $49.80 per barrel is up nearly 8 percent from one week ago , however. Lower crude oil prices are nevertheless starving […]