R S RYDER SCOTT COMPANY ------------------- PETROLEUM CONSULTANTS FAX (713) 651-0849 1100 LOUISIANA SUITE 3800 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002-5218 TELEPHONE (713) 651-9191 EXHIBIT 23 LETTER OF CONSENT We do hereby consent to the use of our name in "Item 2. Properties" and "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Chaparral Resources, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2003. /S/ RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P. ----------------------------- RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P. Houston, Texas March 10, 2004 1100, 530 8TH AVENUE, S.W. CALGARY, ALBERTA T2P 3S8 TEL (403)262-2799 FAX (403) 262-2790 600 17TH STREET, SUITE 1610N DENVER, COLORADO 80202-5416 TEL (303)623-9147 FAX (303) 623-4258