EXHIBIT 10.1


                                OPTION AGREEMENT
     (OPTION TO ACQUIRE OIL AND GAS LEASES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI)


AMERICAN  EXPLORATION CORP., (herein called "AMERICAN") or its nominee, a Nevada
Registered  Corporation with it business offices located at 1915 27 Avenue N.E.,
Suite 110, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 7E4

                                                       (PARTY of the First Part)

AND


WESTROCK LAND CORP., (herein called "WESTROCK"),  a Texas Registered Corporation
with it business offices located at 5050 Quorum Drive, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas,
USA 75254; Ph (214) 722-6497; Fax (214) 722-6499;

                                                      (PARTY of the Second Part)

WHEREAS:

A.       American or its nominee.  and/or its affiliates (in combination  called
         "AMERICAN")  desires  to  acquire  a  seventy-five  (75%)  NET  REVENUE
         INTEREST in approximately 5,000 net acres in oil and gas leases (herein
         called  the  "LEASES")  in lands  onshore  in the Gulf  Coast of Mexico
         (hereinafter referred to as the "ACQUIRED PROPERTIES") from Westrock.

B.       This Option  Agreement (the  "AGREEMENT") is binding on both Parties as
         provided herein.

C.       American has utilized  information provided by Westrock for purposes of
         entering in to this Agreement.

D.       This Agreement is based on the  representation by Westrock that it owns
         all rights to all depths  pursuant to the Leases  comprising a total of
         approximately  5,000  net  acres  (sometimes  also  referred  to as net
         mineral  acres  herein  called "NET  ACRES")  comprising  the  Acquired
         Properties.

E.       Westrock has disclosed and American  acknowledges  that it  understands
         that a well must be "SPUDDED" (that is the commence of drilling) on the
         Acquired Properties no later than May 31, 2009.


The  Parties  hereby  acknowledge,  promise  and  agree,  for good and  valuable
consideration  the sufficiency of which is mutually  acknowledged by the Parties
hereto, to the following:

1.       INTERPRETATION.

         THE RECITALS - are  formally  relied upon by the Parties as an integral
         part of the body of this Agreement.

         THE HEADINGS - The division of this Agreement  into Articles,  Sections
         and Subsections and the insertion of headings is for reference only and
         does not affect the construction or  interpretation  of this Agreement.
         References herein to Articles and Sections are to Articles and Sections
         of this Agreement.

<PAGE>

         INTENDED MEANING - The terms "this  Agreement",  "hereof",  "hereunder"
         and  similar  expressions  refer  to  this  Agreement  and  not  to any
         particular Article,  Section or other portion hereof,  unless expressly
         stated  to apply to a  particular  Article,  Section  or other  portion
         hereof and this includes any agreement, schedule or instrument which is
         supplemental  or  ancillary  hereto,  unless  something  in the subject
         matter or the context is inconsistent therewith.

         GENDER, NUMBER ENTITY - In this Agreement, words importing the singular
         number  include  the  plural  and  vice  versa;   words  importing  the
         masculine,  feminine or neuter genders includes the masculine, feminine
         and  neuter  genders;   and  words   importing   persons  will  include
         individuals,   partnerships,   associations,   trusts,   unincorporated
         organizations  and  corporations;  where such  importing is  reasonably
         consistent with language, meaning, character and context herein.

         CURRENCY - In this  Agreement all  references to currency are in United
         States Dollars (USD$) unless expressly stated to the contrary herein.

2.       PAYMENT OF DEPOSIT AND PURCHASE PRICE.  American agrees to pay Westrock
         SIX  HUNDRED AND  TWENTY-FIVE  (USD$625.00)  DOLLARS per Net Acre.  The
         total purchase price (the "PURCHASE  PRICE") for the Acquired  Property
         is  calculated as [(5,000 Net Acres) X  (USD$625.00/Net  Acres) = THREE
         MILLION ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND  (USD$3,125,000)  DOLLARS.
         American  agrees to pay a 25% deposit (the  "DEPOSIT") of SEVEN HUNDRED
         AND  EIGHTY-ONE  THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY  (USD$781,250)  DOLLARS
         within five  business  days from the date of the signing of this Option
         Agreement (the "OPTION") to purchase the Acquired  Property pursuant to
         this  Agreement.  The Deposit  will be  non-refundable,  subject to the
         exceptions under Article 7 where American provides  documented proof of
         a  deficiency  in the Net  Acres  comprising  the  Acquired  Properties
         (herein called a "MARKETABLE TITLE DEFICIENCY") or where any defects or
         objections to the Lease Documents in relations exceeds ten (10) percent
         of the Acquired Property. The balance of the Purchase Price will be TWO
         MILLION  THREE  HUNDRED  AND  FORTY-THREE  THOUSAND  SEVEN  HUNDRED AND
         SEVENTY-FIVE  (USD$2,343,750)  DOLLARS,  which is due and payable on or
         before expiration of the time for completion of due diligence (the "DUE
         DILIGENCE") by American.  The appropriate  assignments will be prepared
         and executed in regard to the Leases.

3.       OPTION PERIOD.  Westrock hereby grants American the time period between
         the date of  execution  of this  Agreement  and  November  17,  2008 to
         complete its due diligence (herein called the "OPTION PERIOD").

4.       ASSIGNMENT.  At the date and time of Closing,  Westrock will convey the
         Acquired Properties to American by a mutually acceptable assignment and
         bill of sale, which will include a special  warranty of title,  whereby
         Westrock  expressly  limits  its  obligation  to  defending  and saving
         harmless  American's  right,  title and interest in and to the Acquired
         Properties  solely and exclusively  against any third party claim made,
         through or under Westrock, but not otherwise.

5.       LIENS AND  ENCUMBRANCES.  The Acquired  Properties  will be transferred
         from  Westrock  to  American  free and clear of all  liens,  mortgages,
         rights,  assignments or  reassignment,  reversionary  rights,  calls on
         production,  preferential rights, consents to assign, taxes (other than
         those  for  the  current  year),   obligations   (including  delinquent
         operating expenses), claims, suits, or any other encumbrances.

6.       EFFECTIVE DATE OF CLOSING.  The effective date of the conveyance of the
         Acquired  Properties  will be at 12:30 P.M.  (PST) on November 17, 2008
         (the "EFFECTIVE CLOSING DATE").  Parties will use their best efforts to
         complete the  transactions  contemplated  in this Agreement and thereby
         "close" on or before November 17, 2008.

7.       CONFIRMING DUE DILIGENCE.  American will conduct due diligence  (herein
         called  "Due  Diligence")  to  confirm  the title,  ownership  and area
         comprising  the  Acquired  Property,  together  with any other  matters

                                       2

<PAGE>

         American  deems  material to its  decision  to exercise  the Option and
         purchase the Acquired Property.  Due Diligence will include, but is not
         limited to, the following:

7.1      Confirmation of the  marketability of title (including  verification of
         the "held by  production"  or "HBP" Leases,  as being in full force and
         effect).

7.2      If American provides documentary evidence to Westrock during the Option
         Period, in support of its reasonable opinion that Westrock does not own
         marketable title to:

         7.2.1    At least a 75% NRI in at least 5,000 Net Acres  comprising the
                  Acquired  Properties,  then  American  will be  deemed to have
                  established that there is a "MARKETABLE  TITLE  DEFICIENCY" in
                  the Acquired Properties.

7.3      If  American  can  establish  with  documented   evidence  there  is  a
         Marketable  Title Deficiency in the Acquired  Properties;  then, at its
         discretion,  American may terminate this Agreement by providing written
         notice of the same to Westrock.

7.4      If at any time during the Option Period,  American provides  documented
         evidence of a Marketable Title Deficiency in the Acquired Properties to
         Westrock  accompanied by written notice, to Westrock,  of its intention
         not to exercise the Option on that basis, then:

         7.4.1    Neither  Party will have any further  duties,  obligations  or
                  liability  to the other under this  Agreement;  subject to the
                  right of Westrock  to dispute the claim of American  regarding
                  the  documented  evidence of  Marketable  Title  Deficiency as
                  provided in this Sub-section 7.4.

         7.4.2    Where Westrock disputes the documented  evidence  delivered to
                  it  by  American   regarding  the  alleged   Marketable  Title
                  Deficiency,  Westrock  will have Thirty (30) days (the "THIRTY
                  DAY REPLY  PERIOD") from the date of receipt of the documents,
                  allegedly  establishing  the Marketable Title  Deficiency,  to
                  provide American with documented  title evidence  refuting the
                  alleged Marketable Title Deficiency.

         7.4.3    Where Westrock fails to deliver such documented title evidence
                  establishing  it has good  marketable  Title  to the  Acquired
                  Properties as it represents herein within the Thirty Day Reply
                  Period,  it  will be  deemed  to have  accepted  the  American
                  documented evidence establishing a Marketable Title Deficiency
                  in the Acquired Properties.

         7.4.4    Where  either   Westrock   accepts  the  documented   evidence
                  delivered to it by American  regarding  the  Marketable  Title
                  Deficiency  as accurate or fails to respond  within Thirty Day
                  Reply Period, the Agreement is deemed to be terminated and the
                  Deposit  will  be  returned  to  American  on  or  before  the
                  expiration of the Thirty Day Reply Period.

         7.4.5    If  Westrock  replies  to  the  American   deficiency  related
                  documentation by providing documented evidence establishing it
                  has good marketable  Title to the Acquired  Properties  within
                  Thirty Day Reply Period,  it will be deem to have rejected the
                  American documented  evidence  establishing a Marketable Title
                  Deficiency in the Acquired Properties, then:

         7.4.5.1      American  may accept the  further  documented  evidence of
                      Westrock establishing good Marketable Title; reinstate the
                      Agreement and readjusted the Closing Date accordingly.

         7.4.5.2      The further documented  evidence of Westrock  establishing
                      good  Marketable  Title is accepted by  American,  but the
                      Parties  do  not  agree  to  reinstated   the   Agreement,
                      accordingly the Deposit will be retained by Westrock.

                                       3

<PAGE>

         7.4.5.3      American rejects the further  documented evidence provided
                      by Westrock allegedly  establishing good Marketable Title;
                      the Parties do not reinstate the Agreement and accordingly
                      Westrock   will  not  retain  the  Deposit.   Under  these
                      circumstances, Westrock and American will agree on a third
                      party (see  definition  below of a "THIRD PARTY" below) to
                      hold the  Deposit  in escrow  and each side will  agree to
                      submit the matter to a single independent arbitrator under
                      the  American  Arbitration  Association  Guidelines.   The
                      Arbitration  will be  commenced  within sixty (60) days of
                      America  giving  written  notice  of  its  rejection.  The
                      Arbitration proceedings will be commenced within the legal
                      jurisdiction  for hearing  matters  under this  Agreement,
                      unless the parties mutually agree to another  jurisdiction
                      for the arbitration of this matter.

         7.4.6    Nothing in this  Agreement will require the Parties to dispute
                  any  other  issue  or  matter  under  this  Agreement  by  any
                  particular form of dispute resolution,  including arbitration.
                  The  Parties  have  expressly  agreed  to  arbitration  as the
                  appropriate  alternative dispute resolution  mechanism for the
                  determination  of which Party is entitled to the Deposit under
                  this  Sub-section  7.4.  In this  Agreement,  the term  "THIRD
                  PARTY" means and includes any person or entity, which is not a
                  Party  or  its  agent,  representative,  employee,  assign  or
                  affiliate.

7.5      The Due Diligence will further include a review of all Lease documents,
         lease   agreements   (including  lease   expirations,   surface  access
         restrictions and drilling  commitments,  if any), unit agreements,  and
         other contracts applicable to the Acquired Properties.

7.6      American's  obligations  hereunder  will be subject  to its  reasonable
         approval of the Lease  documents,  lease  agreements and other material
         agreements  (in  combination   generally  referred  to  as  the  "LEASE
         DOCUMENTS")  affecting the Acquired  Properties.  Provided however, the
         Deposit will be  non-refundable;  except where during the Option Period
         American,  delivers to Westrock documented  evidence  establishing that
         any defects or enforceability  issues are found in a material amount of
         the Lease Documents. They Parties agree that where at any time over ten
         (10%)  percent of the  Acquired  Properties  are  affected by the Lease
         Documents  which are objected to by American  that would  constitute "A
         MATERIAL  AMOUNT  OF THE LEASE  DOCUMENTS"  as that term is used by the
         Parties in this Agreement.

7.7      Other acts of Due Diligence appropriate to the transaction as  mutually
         agreed between the Parties.

8.       COOPERATION  AND  EXCLUSIVITY.  American and Westrock will cooperate in
         good  faith  and  proceed  expeditiously  in  the  preparation  of  all
         documents necessary to consummate the transaction  contemplated by this
         Agreement.  Westrock  agrees that after execution of this Agreement and
         for so long as it is in  effect;  it will not  directly  or  indirectly
         solicit or entertain any other offer to acquire the Acquire  Properties
         or enter into any discussions,  negotiations or agreement that provides
         for the acquisition of the Acquired Properties with any third party.

9.       ACCESS TO DATA.  Westrock agrees to provide American  reasonable access
         in Westrock's office to the books and records of Westrock pertaining to
         the Acquired Properties promptly after execution of this Agreement.

10.      CONFIDENTIALITY.  It is understood and agreed that the contents of this
         Agreement,  all Lease Documents or related data,  test results,  sample
         analysis, and similar information,  whether in documented or electronic
         formats,  which are delivered and exchanged by and between the Parties,
         will   deemed   to   be   confidential    information    ("CONFIDENTIAL
         INFORMATION"). All Confidential Information as defined herein including
         documents marked or described as confidential will remain  confidential
         between  Parties and not  disclosed  to Third  Parties  except with the
         express  written  permission of the  disclosing  party to the receiving

                                       4

<PAGE>

         party of such Confidential Information.  A receiving party may disclose
         Confidential  Information to a Third Party under this  Agreement  where
         such Third  Party has a  confidential  relationship  with  Westrock  or
         American.   Provided   further  that  any  disclosure  of  Confidential
         Information  by a  Party  to a Third  Party  must  be  limited  to only
         instances  where  there is a need for such Third Party to know and that
         Third Party has agreed is bound by this confidentiality obligation.

11.      PUBLIC   ANNOUNCEMENTS.   Any  public   announcement  of  the  proposed
         transaction  by either  party shall be approved in advance by the other
         party.

12.      NOTICES. All notices regarding this Agreement will be in writing to the
         addresses  of the  Parties  as they  appear  at the  beginning  of this
         Agreement or to the addresses  their  respective  legal  advisors where
         disclosed by the Parties to each other in writing.

12.1     All notices will be in written or electronic form and deemed  delivered
         as follows:

         12.1.1   Three days after posting by prepaid registered mail

         12.1.2   On the date of receipt  by  facsimile  transmission,  proof of
                  receipt will be the fax confirmation  printout received as the
                  sender's fax transmission sheet.

         12.1.3   On the date of receipt of an email by the recipient

         12.1.4   On the date of delivery by hand or courier.

12.2     All notices given in written or electronic form are delivered according
         to the terms and  conditions  for notice under this Agreement when sent
         to the Addresses set out at the head of this Agreement.

13.      COUNTERPARTS;  ELECTRONICALLY  AND FACSIMILE  TRANSMISSION  OF EXECUTED
         COPIES.  The  Parties  deem each  duly  executed  counterpart  to be an
         original and all of which form the same document.

13.1     Each   duly  executed  counterpart  in  combination  with   the   other
         counterparts constitutes a duly executed Agreement.

13.2     The duly  executed  counterparts  of this  Agreement  may be  facsimile
         copies  or   electronically   duplicated  copies  and  a  facsimile  or
         electronically scanned copy of the signed in counterparts is sufficient
         to constitute a binding contract.

13.3     Where  a Party  expressly  insists  on the  delivery  of an  originally
         executed copy of a Counterpart  the other Party's  compliance with this
         requirement  is in addition to, but in no way derogates from the valid,
         enforceable  and binding  effect of this  Agreement.  The  Agreement is
         valid,  enforceable  and binding  immediately  upon  delivery of a duly
         signed  counterpart  of  this  Agreement  by  facsimile  or  electronic
         delivery pursuant to Sub-sections 13.1 and 13.2 hereof.

14.      GOVERNING  LAW  AND  JURISDICTION.  Unless  the  Parties  agree  to the
         contrary in writing, this Agreement is subject to the laws of the State
         of Texas and the  jurisdiction of any court,  arbitrator other tribunal
         competent to hear matters in dispute under this Agreement.  The Parties
         each promise and agree to attorn to the jurisdiction of Texas as a form
         convenience  to hear  matters and disputes  hereunder.  The Parties may
         only commence proceeding  hereunder in another jurisdiction upon mutual
         written agreement.

15.      EXPENSES.  Each Party will pay its own expenses and costs incidental to
         the negotiation and completion of the transaction,  and related Closing
         matters including legal and accounting fees.

                                       5
<PAGE>


Both  parties  agree to the  terms  and  provisions  set  forth  is this  Option
Agreement;

AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED THIS ____ DAY OF OCTOBER, 2008





AMERICAN EXPLORATION CORP.


By: _________________________________

Steve Harding, CEO


WESTROCK LAND CORP.


By: ________________________________

Gary Powers, President



                                       6