content: <!-- CoverPageHeader start -->
  <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 3.2//EN">
  <HTML>
  <HEAD>
  <TITLE> Harvest Natural Resources, Inc. (Form: 8-K) </TITLE>
  </HEAD>
  <BODY TEXT="#000000" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" ALINK="#0000FF" HLINK="#FF0000" VLINK="#800080">
  <A NAME="DOCUMENT_TOP">&nbsp;</A>
  <P>
  <!-- CoverPageHeader end --><!-- CoverPageTitle START -->
  <A NAME="DOCUMENT_TOP">&nbsp;</A>
  <HR NOSHADE>
  <P>
  <P ALIGN="CENTER">
  <FONT SIZE="4">
  		UNITED STATES<BR>
  	SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  </FONT>
  <BR>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
  </FONT>
  <P ALIGN="CENTER">
  <FONT SIZE="5">
  	FORM 8-K
  </FONT>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  
  </FONT>
  </P>
  <P ALIGN="CENTER">
  <FONT SIZE="3">
  	CURRENT REPORT
  </FONT>
  </P>
  <P ALIGN="CENTER">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  </FONT>
  </P>
  <CENTER>
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%">
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD WIDTH="51%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  <TD WIDTH="5%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  <TD WIDTH="44%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	May 18, 2006
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  <BR>
  </CENTER>
  <!-- CoverPageTitle END --><!-- CoverPageRegistrant START -->
  <P ALIGN="CENTER"><!-- -->
  <FONT SIZE="6">
  	Harvest Natural Resources, Inc.
  </FONT>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  <BR>__________________________________________<BR>
  	(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  </FONT>
  <CENTER>
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%">
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD WIDTH="33%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  <TD WIDTH="34%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  <TD WIDTH="33%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	Delaware
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	1-10762
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	77-0196707
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  _____________________<BR>
  	(State or other jurisdiction
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  _____________<BR>
  	(Commission
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  ______________<BR>
  	(I.R.S. Employer
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	of incorporation)
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	File Number)
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	Identification No.)
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	1177 Enclave Parkway, Suite 300, Houston, Texas
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	77077
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  _________________________________<BR>
  	(Address of principal executive offices)
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  ___________<BR>
  	(Zip Code)
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  </CENTER>
  <CENTER>
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%">
  
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD WIDTH="51%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  <TD WIDTH="5%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  <TD WIDTH="44%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code:
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	281-899-5720
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  </CENTER>
  <P ALIGN="CENTER">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	Not Applicable
  <BR>______________________________________________<BR>
  	Former name or former address, if changed since last report
  </FONT>
  <P ALIGN="CENTER">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  <!-- CoverPageRegistrant END --><P><FONT SIZE="2">
  Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
  simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any
  of the following provisions:</FONT>
  </P>
  <P><FONT SIZE="2">
  [&nbsp;&nbsp;]&nbsp;&nbsp;Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)<br>
  [&nbsp;&nbsp;]&nbsp;&nbsp;Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)<br>
  [&nbsp;&nbsp;]&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))<br>
  [&nbsp;&nbsp;]&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))<br>
  </P></FONT><!-- PageBreak START -->
  <P>
  <HR NOSHADE>
  <DIV ALIGN="LEFT" STYLE="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE:ALWAYS">
  <A HREF="#DOCUMENT_TOP">
  <U>
  <B>
  <FONT SIZE="2">Top of the Form</FONT>
  </B>
  </U>
  </A>
  </DIV>
  <!-- PageBreak END --><!-- Item START -->
  <P ALIGN="LEFT">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  <B>
  	Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
  </B>
  </FONT>
  </P>
  <P ALIGN="LEFT">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  Item 1.01<br><br>On May 18, 2006 the Board of Directors for Harvest Natural Resources, Inc. (the "Company") established compensation for each non-employee director of the Company as follows:<br><br>&#x2022;	an annual Board retainer of $36,000, plus travel and related expenses,<br>&#x2022;	a board meeting fee of $1,500 for each board or committee meeting attended,<br>&#x2022;	an annual committee retainer of $20,000 for serving as committee chair of the Audit committee, $15,000 for serving as committee chair of the Human Resources committee, and $10,000 for serving as committee chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance committee, and<br>&#x2022;	a fee of $1,500 per day for attending business meetings on behalf of the Company in his capacity as a director that requires out of town travel or a substantial commitment of time.<br><br>The Company&#x2019;s director compensation also includes additional compensation for the Company&#x2019;s non-executive Chairman of the Board, Mr. Chesebro&#x2019;, in recognition of the significant added responsibilities and time commitments of that position.  In addition to his compensation as a director, Mr. Chesebro&#x2019; receives a retainer of $120,000 a year.<br><br>On May 18, 2006, the Board of Directors of the Company also approved a stock option award of 5,000 shares and a restricted stock award of 3,000 shares to each non-employee director under the Company&#x2019;s 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan.<br><br>The stock option awards have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company&#x2019;s stock on the date of grant, vest in increments of one-third over a three-year period and expire ten years from the grant date.  The restricted stock awards vest in increments of one-third over a three year period and a certificate representing the shares vested will be delivered to the director at the end of each one year period provided that the director remains a director of the Company at the time of vesting.
  </FONT>
  </P>
  <!-- Item END -->
  <BR><BR><BR><BR><P ALIGN="LEFT" STYLE="FONT-SIZE: 10PT"></P><!-- PageBreak START -->
  <P>
  <HR NOSHADE>
  <DIV ALIGN="LEFT" STYLE="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE:ALWAYS">
  <A HREF="#DOCUMENT_TOP">
  <U>
  <B>
  <FONT SIZE="2">Top of the Form</FONT>
  </B>
  </U>
  </A>
  </DIV>
  <!-- PageBreak END --><!-- SignatureHeader START -->
  <P ALIGN="CENTER">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  <B>
  	SIGNATURES
  </B>
  </FONT>
  </P>
  <P ALIGN="LEFT">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
  	registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
  	undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  </FONT>
  </P>
  <!-- SignatureHeader END --><!-- Signature START -->
  <CENTER>
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%">
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD WIDTH="19%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  <TD WIDTH="34%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  <TD WIDTH="3%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  <TD WIDTH="1%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  <TD WIDTH="43%">
  	&nbsp;
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD COLSPAN="3" VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="LEFT">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	Harvest Natural Resources, Inc.
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  <I>
  	May 23, 2006
  </I>
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  <I>
  	By:
  </I>
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  <I>
  	Kerry R. Brittain
  </I>
  <BR>
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
  <TD VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
  <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  <I>
  	Name: Kerry R. Brittain
  </I>
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
  <TD VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD>
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  	&nbsp;
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT SIZE="2">
  <I>
  	Title: Senior Vice President and General Counsel
  </I>
  </FONT>
  </TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  </CENTER>
  <!-- Signature END --><!-- HTMLFooter START -->
  </BODY>
  </HTML>
  <!-- HTMLFooter END -->
metadata_documents: [{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "htm_12704.htm", "description": "LIVE FILING", "secsgml_size_bytes": 10249}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "HARVEST NATURAL RESOURCES, INC.", "cik": "0000845289", "assigned-sic": "1311", "irs-number": "770196707", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-10762", "film-number": "06861471"}, "business-address": {"street1": "1177 ENCLAVE PARKWAY", "street2": "STE 300", "city": "HOUSTON", "state": "TX", "zip": "77077", "phone": "281-899-5700"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "1177 ENCLAVE PARKWAY", "street2": "STE 300", "city": "HOUSTON", "state": "TX", "zip": "77077"}, "former-company": [{"former-conformed-name": "HARVEST NATURAL RESOURCES INC", "date-changed": "20020805"}, {"former-conformed-name": "BENTON OIL & GAS CO", "date-changed": "19920703"}]}
text: Harvest Natural Resources, Inc. (Form: 8-K)
  UNITED STATES
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
  FORM 8-K
  CURRENT REPORT
  Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):
  May 18, 2006
  Harvest Natural Resources, Inc.
  __________________________________________
  (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  Delaware
  1-10762
  77-0196707
  _____________________
  (State or other jurisdiction
  _____________
  (Commission
  ______________
  (I.R.S. Employer
  of incorporation)
  File Number)
  Identification No.)
  1177 Enclave Parkway, Suite 300, Houston, Texas
  77077
  _________________________________
  (Address of principal executive offices)
  ___________
  (Zip Code)
  Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
  281-899-5720
  Not Applicable
  ______________________________________________
  Former name or former address, if changed since last report
  Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
  simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any
  of the following provisions:
  [  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
  [  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
  [  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  [  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
  Top of the Form
  Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
  Item 1.01
  On May 18, 2006 the Board of Directors for Harvest Natural Resources, Inc. (the "Company") established compensation for each non-employee director of the Company as follows:
  •	an annual Board retainer of $36,000, plus travel and related expenses,
  •	a board meeting fee of $1,500 for each board or committee meeting attended,
  •	an annual committee retainer of $20,000 for serving as committee chair of the Audit committee, $15,000 for serving as committee chair of the Human Resources committee, and $10,000 for serving as committee chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance committee, and
  •	a fee of $1,500 per day for attending business meetings on behalf of the Company in his capacity as a director that requires out of town travel or a substantial commitment of time.
  The Company's director compensation also includes additional compensation for the Company's non-executive Chairman of the Board, Mr. Chesebro', in recognition of the significant added responsibilities and time commitments of that position.  In addition to his compensation as a director, Mr. Chesebro' receives a retainer of $120,000 a year.
  On May 18, 2006, the Board of Directors of the Company also approved a stock option award of 5,000 shares and a restricted stock award of 3,000 shares to each non-employee director under the Company's 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan.
  The stock option awards have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company's stock on the date of grant, vest in increments of one-third over a three-year period and expire ten years from the grant date.  The restricted stock awards vest in increments of one-third over a three year period and a certificate representing the shares vested will be delivered to the director at the end of each one year period provided that the director remains a director of the Company at the time of vesting.
  Top of the Form
  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
  	registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
  	undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  Harvest Natural Resources, Inc.
  May 23, 2006
  By:
  Kerry R. Brittain
  Name: Kerry R. Brittain
  Title: Senior Vice President and General Counsel