Hi! Even with the drop in oil prices and slow down in activity, I am very optimistic. I believe oil production has peaked, middle east and everywhere, and we will see $200 / barrel oil within a few years, maybe sooner. I don't wish that on anyone, but if production has no where to go but down, and the world's fastest-growing consumers, China & India, "Chindia," have no where to go but up in consumption, by the inescapable law of supply and demand, prices will go up, beyond what we saw this past year. I also very much hope the powers that be will heed T. Boone Pickens, whose plan to convert the entire U.S. fleet of 18-wheelers to natural gas-- 80% cleaner, and 50% cheaper, I've read -- the conversion affordably do-able with current technology (greatest need is natural gas distribution infrastructure), Marcellus, with its prime location for distribution to the entire northeast, stands to be immeasurably profitable. I would encourage anyone not signed on yet to wait if bonus offers are not much more than $1K per acre right now. 2009 exploration plus re-rising oil prices will almost certainly precipitate a quadruping of $1K per acre bonuses, or more. I hope to hear others' thoughts! With high hopes and great expectations, Carolyn