Discusses the role of 'landmen,' who, according to the American Association of Professional Landmen, execute leases for landowners' mineral rights on behalf of drilling companies. They also do research to determine the ownership status of underground minerals by searching both public and private records. They review title status and work to cure any title defects so as to reduce title risk associated with their drilling company's ownership of mineral rights. Basically, landmen are agents who represent oil and gas companies in those companies' efforts to secure rights to drill for oil and gas on people's land.