Oil Drilling in Montana Taps Out

State records show that Montana has been without a single major oil drilling rig since April.

Industry observers said the inactivity is due to low oil prices, which have also slowed drilling across the country.

The Billings Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/1GtaS1t) that it's possible there are a few very small operators still drilling.

According to the Baker Hughes rig count, Montana oil drilling flatlined in mid-March. The same month a year earlier Montana had six oil rigs. In the past 12 months, state had as many as 14 oil rigs.

However, oil production at current wells continues. Last December, Montana oil wells were producing 2.5 million barrels a month. That production has continued into 2015, though numbers have slid because of the decline in new wells.