Economist: North Dakota oil pause shows companies following the money

Economist: North Dakota oil pause shows companies following the money

FARGO — One of North Dakota’s largest oil producers, Continental Resources, is halting drilling, a move tied to low oil prices. It is the first time the company has stopped drilling in the state in 30 years. Economists say the decision signals more than just a drop in oil prices; it raises questions about whether companies can meet long-term productivity and profit goals at today’s costs. "When prices fall, companies don’t necessarily lose mone…