Exhibit 24

                          AMERICAN EXPLORATION COMPANY

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         WHEREAS, AMERICAN EXPLORATION COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), a Registration Statement on Form S-3, or on any other appropriate form
under the Securities Act, in connection with the registration of Common Stock,
par value $.05 per share, of the Company to be offered by one or more selling
stockholders, with such amendment or amendments thereto, whether pre-effective
or post-effective, in each case as necessary or appropriate, together with any
and all exhibits, schedules and other documents relating to such Registration
Statement (collectively, the "Registration Statement");

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned does hereby constitute and appoint Mark
Andrews and John M. Hogan, and each, as the undersigned's true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned's name, place and
stead in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement with any and
all amendments and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection
therewith and to file the same, together with any and all exhibits, schedules
and other documents relating thereto, with the Commission. Each of such
attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority to do and
perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned in any and all capacities
every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the premises as fully
and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person,
the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving all that such attorneys-in-fact
and agents, or any of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney
as of the 3rd day of July, 1996.

                                                     /s/ MARK ANDREWS
                                                     Mark Andrews
                                                     Director



                          AMERICAN EXPLORATION COMPANY

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         WHEREAS, AMERICAN EXPLORATION COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), a Registration Statement on Form S-3, or on any other appropriate form
under the Securities Act, in connection with the registration of Common Stock,
par value $.05 per share, of the Company to be offered by one or more selling
stockholders, with such amendment or amendments thereto, whether pre-effective
or post-effective, in each case as necessary or appropriate, together with any
and all exhibits, schedules and other documents relating to such Registration
Statement (collectively, the "Registration Statement");

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned does hereby constitute and appoint Mark
Andrews and John M. Hogan, and each, as the undersigned's true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned's name, place and
stead in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement with any and
all amendments and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection
therewith and to file the same, together with any and all exhibits, schedules
and other documents relating thereto, with the Commission. Each of such
attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority to do and
perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned in any and all capacities
every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the premises as fully
and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person,
the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving all that such attorneys-in-fact
and agents, or any of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney
as of the 3rd day of July, 1996.

                                                     /s/ HARRY W. COLMERY, JR.
                                                     Harry W. Colmery, Jr.
                                                     Director



                          AMERICAN EXPLORATION COMPANY

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         WHEREAS, AMERICAN EXPLORATION COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), a Registration Statement on Form S-3, or on any other appropriate form
under the Securities Act, in connection with the registration of Common Stock,
par value $.05 per share, of the Company to be offered by one or more selling
stockholders, with such amendment or amendments thereto, whether pre-effective
or post-effective, in each case as necessary or appropriate, together with any
and all exhibits, schedules and other documents relating to such Registration
Statement (collectively, the "Registration Statement");

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned does hereby constitute and appoint Mark
Andrews and John M. Hogan, and each, as the undersigned's true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned's name, place and
stead in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement with any and
all amendments and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection
therewith and to file the same, together with any and all exhibits, schedules
and other documents relating thereto, with the Commission. Each of such
attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority to do and
perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned in any and all capacities
every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the premises as fully
and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person,
the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving all that such attorneys-in-fact
and agents, or any of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney
as of the 3rd day of July, 1996.

                                                     /s/ IRVIN K. CULPEPPER, JR.
                                                     Irvin K. Culpepper, Jr.
                                                     Director



                          AMERICAN EXPLORATION COMPANY

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         WHEREAS, AMERICAN EXPLORATION COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), a Registration Statement on Form S-3, or on any other appropriate form
under the Securities Act, in connection with the registration of Common Stock,
par value $.05 per share, of the Company to be offered by one or more selling
stockholders, with such amendment or amendments thereto, whether pre-effective
or post-effective, in each case as necessary or appropriate, together with any
and all exhibits, schedules and other documents relating to such Registration
Statement (collectively, the "Registration Statement");

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned does hereby constitute and appoint Mark
Andrews and John M. Hogan, and each, as the undersigned's true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned's name, place and
stead in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement with any and
all amendments and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection
therewith and to file the same, together with any and all exhibits, schedules
and other documents relating thereto, with the Commission. Each of such
attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority to do and
perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned in any and all capacities
every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the premises as fully
and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person,
the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving all that such attorneys-in-fact
and agents, or any of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney
as of the 3rd day of July, 1996.

                                                     /s/ WALTER J. P. CURLEY
                                                     Walter J. P. Curley
                                                     Director



                          AMERICAN EXPLORATION COMPANY

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         WHEREAS, AMERICAN EXPLORATION COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), a Registration Statement on Form S-3, or on any other appropriate form
under the Securities Act, in connection with the registration of Common Stock,
par value $.05 per share, of the Company to be offered by one or more selling
stockholders, with such amendment or amendments thereto, whether pre-effective
or post-effective, in each case as necessary or appropriate, together with any
and all exhibits, schedules and other documents relating to such Registration
Statement (collectively, the "Registration Statement");

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned does hereby constitute and appoint Mark
Andrews and John M. Hogan, and each, as the undersigned's true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned's name, place and
stead in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement with any and
all amendments and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection
therewith and to file the same, together with any and all exhibits, schedules
and other documents relating thereto, with the Commission. Each of such
attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority to do and
perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned in any and all capacities
every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the premises as fully
and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person,
the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving all that such attorneys-in-fact
and agents, or any of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney
as of the 3rd day of July, 1996.

                                                     /s/ PHILLIP FROST, M.D.
                                                     Phillip Frost, M.D.
                                                     Director



                          AMERICAN EXPLORATION COMPANY

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         WHEREAS, AMERICAN EXPLORATION COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), a Registration Statement on Form S-3, or on any other appropriate form
under the Securities Act, in connection with the registration of Common Stock,
par value $.05 per share, of the Company to be offered by one or more selling
stockholders, with such amendment or amendments thereto, whether pre-effective
or post-effective, in each case as necessary or appropriate, together with any
and all exhibits, schedules and other documents relating to such Registration
Statement (collectively, the "Registration Statement");

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned does hereby constitute and appoint Mark
Andrews and John M. Hogan, and each, as the undersigned's true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned's name, place and
stead in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement with any and
all amendments and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection
therewith and to file the same, together with any and all exhibits, schedules
and other documents relating thereto, with the Commission. Each of such
attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority to do and
perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned in any and all capacities
every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the premises as fully
and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person,
the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving all that such attorneys-in-fact
and agents, or any of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney
as of the 3rd day of July, 1996.

                                                     /s/ PETER G. GERRY
                                                     Peter G. Gerry
                                                     Director


                          AMERICAN EXPLORATION COMPANY

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         WHEREAS, AMERICAN EXPLORATION COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), a Registration Statement on Form S-3, or on any other appropriate form
under the Securities Act, in connection with the registration of Common Stock,
par value $.05 per share, of the Company to be offered by one or more selling
stockholders, with such amendment or amendments thereto, whether pre-effective
or post-effective, in each case as necessary or appropriate, together with any
and all exhibits, schedules and other documents relating to such Registration
Statement (collectively, the "Registration Statement");

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned does hereby constitute and appoint Mark
Andrews and John M. Hogan, and each, as the undersigned's true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned's name, place and
stead in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement with any and
all amendments and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection
therewith and to file the same, together with any and all exhibits, schedules
and other documents relating thereto, with the Commission. Each of such
attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority to do and
perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned in any and all capacities
every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the premises as fully
and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person,
the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving all that such attorneys-in-fact
and agents, or any of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney
as of the 3rd day of July, 1996.

                                                     /s/ JOHN H. MOORE
                                                     John H. Moore
                                                     Director