As a stampede of oil and gas exploration and development companies race toward the prize of higher oil and gas prices, the legwork needed to efficiently capitalize is often lost to the lure of a quick strike. Exploration and development of past and future oil and gas prospects takes time, research and money. The temptation of a quick score is huge, but finding an oil and gas company that has done their homework is the key to long-term profit in a fast-paced and changing natural resources market.