A family member just received a notice from a person in Oklahoma who sent a "Quit Claim Mineral Deed and Conveyance of oil and Gas Rights"  as well as a "Affidavit, Claim to Preserve Mineral Interests and Oil and Gas Rights Interests (Affidavit of Preservation and Claim)".  Unknown to our family was the surface rights of the land were sold but not the oil, gas and mineral were not and apparently a Public Notice was made in a a local newspaper announcing the Notice of Abandonment for this land.  Now a person steps in to 'help' stop this but for a fee of 1/4 the land. Also a "Paid-Up Oil and Gas Lease" was included which is the craziest low ball lease I've ever seen...this wreaks to high heaven. The newspaper notice was dated Nov 19, 2012...how do I stop this process myself...please advise. Should we go to the Belmont County Land Records?  Flushing Twp?? Where do we go and who do we speak in order to stop this!  This is crazy that this notice is made in the back of a small town newspaper and my family could forfeit their legal rights to the oil and gas.