BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - The number of drill rigs in western North Dakota's oil patch has slipped to a five-year low with the falling price of oil.
But lawmakers said Tuesday they do not know if the quicker-than-expected drop will immediately influence the final shape of the state's upcoming budget.
Rep. Jeff Delzer of Underwood is the chairman of the North Dakota House's Appropriations Committee. He says the state's major appropriations for the next two-year budget are "still up in the air."
On Tuesday, 100 rigs were drilling in the state's oil patch. That's down from 197 on the same day a year ago and the lowest since March 2010.
North Dakota Petroleum Council President Ron Ness says the drop in the number of drill rigs has come faster than he expected.