The chairman of the Three Affiliated Tribes says an agreement is near to encourage oil production on tribal land.

Right now, privately owned fee land and tribal trust land on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation have different oil tax rules.

State and tribal negotiators have been attempting to work out the differences.

Three Affiliated Tribes Chairman Marcus Wells Junior says an agreement is near. He says it should provide a big economic benefit to the tribe.

Oil exploration is going on around the reservation's boundaries, and companies are eager to prospect for oil on tribal land.

- Associated Press