The drilling pads take up to six acres of land. Once you have signed the lease, You are allowing access to the land and possible loss of that much acreage-recently we were offered 5000 for a drilling pad but that land may be tied up forever-i believe that is only 1000 for 5 or more acres.
Gas is really low under $2.00 mcf, so I don't know why other than our lease will be expiring 2013 and they don't want to pay the higher price. I may be wrong and it may be 5000 per acre per pad but i don't think so. Drilling pads should pay around 30,000 per 5 acres and 10000 for each additional pad.