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                                  EXHIBIT 23.3

                           BENTON OIL AND GAS COMPANY

                    INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS' CONSENT
                    ----------------------------------------

    Ryder Scott Company, L.P. hereby consents to the use of its name in
    reference to its preparation of the Benton Oil and Gas Company reserve
    report, dated as of December 31, 2000, in the Form 10-K Annual Report of
    Benton Oil and Gas Company to be filed with the Security and Exchange
    Commission.

    Ryder Scott Company, L.P.
    Denver, Colorado
    March 23, 2001