EXHIBIT 23.1
                         HARVEST NATURAL RESOURCES, INC.

            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

      We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-115841, 333-94823, 333-49114 and 333-85900) and
Form S-3 (No. 333-17231) of Harvest Natural Resources, Inc. (formerly Benton Oil
and Gas Company) of our report dated February 27, 2006 relating to the financial
statements, financial statement schedule, management's assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, and the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in
this Form 10-K.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Houston, Texas
February 27, 2006