Here's what KBC had to say about them.

http://www.kbcpeelhunt.com/pdfs/Oil04Mar05.pdf

Venture is by a margin the cheapest of the North Sea focused E&P
companies in terms of its forward cash flow multiple. With key new
gas field development seeming to be on track, the production base
will get not only an anticipated strong addition from March but will
also derive improved asset diversity. The company has so far
significantly under-delivered in financial terms and improved market
confidence and rising profitability could make this a strong
performer in 2005.
While Venture has generally managed its primary North Sea
production and development business competently, and field
performance, with the exception of Sycamore, has been up to
expectations, the financial performance has been undermined by
events. However, delivery of the key new field developments seems
to be on track and the company should more than double production
capacity to over 45,000 barrels of oil equivalent by the end of 2005
and should achieve on average at least 30,000 boe/d in the year.
The misfortunes continued on Sycamore, with an injector well
apparently not communicating with the intended reservoir section.
This caused the company to reduce 2005 production guidance by
about 1,500 b/d to 31.0-33.0 kboe/d.
The development programme under way continues through 2006
giving a further year or two of growth in the production profile from
within the existing reserve inventory. The company therefore has
time to seek further development opportunities either within its
existing licences or by acquiring or licensing new assets.
The stock is trading close to our Core NAV estimate but is on a lower
prospective multiple of earnings (2005 PE of 7) and cash flow (P:CF
of 2.3) than any other E&P stock. The appointment of a new FD
relieves CEO Mike Wagstaff of his multiple responsibilities, which
should improve confidence in delivery.
With 50% of estimated production in 2005-2008 in the form of natural
gas, Venture offers direct exposure to the UK gas price. Moreover,
the reliability issues that have dogged the company have been in its
oil rather than gas operations.

Here are two links to recent news items that I believe are influencing the current market sentiment.


http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200707180931484352A.html

http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200707190701165073A.html

Thanks for that Darradev.

Comment in Saturdays FT..


http://www.ft.com/cms/s/b43ecdb0-3ca6-11dc-b067-0000779fd2ac,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2Fb43ecdb0-3ca6-11dc-b067-0000779fd2ac.html&_i_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ft.com%2Fsearch%3FqueryText%3Dventure+production

Morning all. VPC motoring today, I think on the back of some broker updates and the general M&A frenzy in the oil sector.

Mitzy, are you still 'in'.

Cynic, did you have another look after your comments earlier in the year. Maybe a bit better than the 'spivvy' ones you have been berating on the other threads. :-)

Yep you bet Darradev this thread has been too quiet during the summer perhaps the winter will prove a better time.

I am thinking oil at $120 plus next year also gas prices up 50%.

What a performance roll on oil at $120...

Oil stocks going higher, banking sector nose-dives. And they say banks are safe as houses ! Opps, property scare next !!

It's an upside down world these days.

Afternoon all. Another nice result for Venture.

http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200711190700599327H.html

10,000 BOPD test, with anticipated production in 1Q09.

This should spark new life into the SP.

hoping they reach 800p soon.

Not long now..

Breached 600p today first time in a month next step is 820p.

Morgan Stanley have said the oil bull will run for another 5 years and oil will be $115 a barrel next year.. I'm not arguing with them.

A good day for Dana up 5% .

touched 800p today for the third time in a row finished 5p off at 795p.

Breached 800p at the fourth attempt now up to 850p which may be more difficult.

No stopping venture today 850p within sights.

Marked down 10% this am unfair in my opinion.

Bit of a setback with the latest production figures, but I suppose it's offset slightly with the higher oil and gas prices.

Am looking to see some action here in the coming months, what with all that financing arranged last year.

Crikey, what a drop !, this market takes no prisoners ! It's like the string cutting a piece of cheese in the supermarket.

Think we have seen the low for now I am a buyer.