<?xml version="1.0"?><ownershipDocument><schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>    <documentType>4/A</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-07-24</periodOfReport><dateOfOriginalSubmission>2003-07-24</dateOfOriginalSubmission><notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16><issuer><issuerCik>0000845289</issuerCik><issuerName>HARVEST NATURAL RESOURCES INC</issuerName>        <issuerTradingSymbol>HNR</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId><rptOwnerCik>0001225312</rptOwnerCik><rptOwnerName>CLARKE JOHN U</rptOwnerName></reportingOwnerId><reportingOwnerAddress><rptOwnerStreet1>15835 PARK TEN PLACE DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1><rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 115</rptOwnerStreet2><rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity><rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState><rptOwnerZipCode>77084</rptOwnerZipCode><rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription></reportingOwnerAddress><reportingOwnerRelationship><isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Phantom stock</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>6.11</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-07-24</value></transactionDate><deemedExecutionDate><value>2003-07-24</value></deemedExecutionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>I</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>14730</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>6.11</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><value>1988-08-08</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>1988-08-08</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>14730</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>74730</value><footnoteId id="F2" /></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">The shares of phantom stock will be settled in cash, either in a lump sum or in three or five annual installments, as soon as possible following termination from the board of directors.</footnote><footnote id="F2">Includes options to purchase the Company's common stock granted pursuant to the Company's 2001 Long Term Stock Incentive Plan having varying exercise dates, expiration dates and exercise prices.</footnote></footnotes><remarks></remarks><ownerSignature><signatureName>Kerry R. Brittain, by Power of Attorney</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-08-05</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

