Rockytopper, what rights to your property did you lose??
I know their are some really shady 'Landmen' out there who go around getting gas leases and reselling them to oil and gas companies. It happens and from what I hear, it's not uncommon. As Rocky said, ALWAYS use an attorney who has experience with oil, gas and mineral rights.
In late 2008 early 2009, landowners were getting upwards of $3,000 an acre here in PA just for signing up with a gas exploration company. This was in addition to royalties of up to 1/4 and yearly lease fees for undrilled wells. This has tapered off since the drop in NG prices but it hasn't stopped the influx of dishonest landmen who are going around getting unaware landowners to sell their gas rights for pennies on the dollar so they can turn around and sell them for huge profits to the oil and gas exploration companies.
