EXHIBIT 23.3 HARVEST NATURAL RESOURCES, INC. INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS' CONSENT 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 2, 2006 relating to the reserve reports, which appears in this Form 10-K. Ryder Scott Company, L.P. Denver, Colorado February 2, 2006