Stock Watch

L.A. Times Archives

Sept. 15, 1992 12 AM PT

Benton Oil and Gas Co. Business: Energy Symbol: BTN Shares Outstanding: 12.8 million Market: AMEX Closing Price on 9/14/92: $6.25

Benton Oil and Gas is an Oxnard-based oil and gas exploration and production company. Its major operations are in the Gulf Coast region of Louisiana and western Siberia in Russia, where huge oil reserves are known to exist. The company also has operations in Oklahoma, Texas and in Californai’s Sacramento, Santa Maria and San Joaquin basins.

Founded in 1988 by its chairman, Alex Benton, the company’s average daily production totaled approximately 1,612 barrels in 1991. Benton has focused on acquiring properties with proved reserves, many of which have already been tapped by large oil companies. It has also received approval to drill at old oil fields in Venezuela, where it plans to use new technology to extract reserves.

Period ending Sept.1989 Dec.1989 Qtrly Profit (loss): ($104,551 ($123,071 % Change: N/A N/A Qtrly Revenues: $176,108 $128,989 % Change: N/A +103%

Period ending March 1990 June 1990 Qtrly Profit (loss): ($227,826) ($452,704) % Change: N/A N/A Qtrly Revenues: $303,460 $359,429 % Change: +2,354% +293%

Period ending Sept. 1990 Dec. 1990 Qtrly Profit (loss): $503,068 $336,906 % Change: N/A N/A Qtrly Revenues: $1.5 million $2.5 million % Change: +750% +1,852%

Period ending March 1991 June 1991 Qtrly Profit (loss): $166,740 $73,859 % Change: N/A N/A Qtrly Revenues: $2.4 million $2.9 million % Change: +676% +712%

Period ending Sept.1991 Dec.1991 Qtrly Profit (loss): $65,322 $205,741 % Change: -87% -39% Qtrly Revenues: $2.9 million $3.1 million % Change: + 106% +25%

Period ending March 1992 June 1992 Qtrly Profit (loss): ($491,239) (569,599) % Change: N/A N/A Qtrly Revenues: $2.2 million 2.4 million % Change: -7% -17%

N/A: Not applicable because of current, or prior year’s, loss.

Stock Prices Period ending: Sept. 1989

Quarterly High: $2.69

Quarterly Low: $1.69

Period ending: Dec. 89 Quarterly High: $2.81

Quarterly Low: $2.19

Period ending: March 1990

Quarterly Highs: $3.50

Quarterly Lows: $2.03

Period ending: June 1990

Quarterly Highs: $6.38

Quarterly Lows: $3.25