Prairie Public Broadcasting

Rig count up in ND's oil patch BISMARCK, ND (NDPR) - Seventy drilling rigs are working in North Dakota's oil patch.

The state Mineral Resources Director says that's an indication of the interest in the Bakken Shale oil play. Lynn Helms says oil companies have told him they would bring in more rigs -- if they could.

"They would utilize more rigs if they could get them," said Helms. "There simply aren't rigs or people to do what they want to do. Some companies have maxed-out their staff, and even companies the siz of Amerada Hess say seven to eight rigs are all they can service, because of title work and land and construction of roads, and everything they have to do to put a rig in the field."

Helms says the companies definitely have "Help Wanted" signs out.

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