Harvest Natural Resources, Inc., formerly known as Benton Oil and Gas Company, is an independent energy corporation, which has been engaged in the development and production of oil and gas properties since 1989. The Company's producing operations are conducted principally through its 80%-owned Venezuelan subsidiary, Benton-Vinccler, C.A., which operates the South Monagas Unit in Venezuela; and Geoilbent Ltd., a Russian limited liability company of which the Company owns 34%, which operates the North Gubkinskoye and South Tarasovskoye Fields in West Siberia, Russia. Additionally, the Company owns 68% of the equity interest in Arctic Gas Company, which explores and develops the Samburg and Yevo-Yakha License Blocks in the West Siberian Basin of Russia. The Company has expanded into other, less significant projects in China, California and Louisiana.