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.

Kivver,
One analyst (name escapes me) has forecast EPS of 113 for VPC this year. In my view this is almost certainly too low, but taking it at face value it puts VPC on a forecast PE of just 6.9 for 2006 and something even sillier for 2007. In my view we have at least 50% upside from here before the year end and even then the shares would still not look expensive. 12 by year end is my target.

that would be great, looks like it may be best to stock up with some more!!

The way oil stocks are moving today theres almost a buying frenzy....1000p is my target but I'm hoping for another 50% on top.

Appointment of UBS as a joint broker appears to have stirred up the rumours of a link up with DNX again

A merger, or who would be taking over who?

great share to hold and 1200p remains my target although the analysts might not agree but who cares.

UBS have a target of 1010p and I agree could be a link up with Dana in a time ahead.

very happy to be in this one, it looks a corker!!!

It certainly is Kivver worth holding for further sp gains in 2007..

that 1010p target from UBS is getting closer by the day..

Have held these shares from 2.28p and I don't instead to sell them at all. The only way I won't hold these shares is if they get taken over...these are for my pension which is 27 years away (by which time this will be a sizeable ftse 100 stock). As Buffett says if you can't hold them don't buy them.

ALL IN MY HUMBLE OPINION.

tipped by uk-analysist, mostly positive though advises to show some caution.

could explain this mornings rise then..

venture said today
its now the largest uk gas producer,or soon will be,
must make them a likely takeover target

.

My target is 1500p to 2000p within 2 years unless they get bid for by the Russians.

Or the Indians, or even Dana. I think that there could be quite a few interested parties.

I agree they are a sitting duck even from the Chinese I wonder if they will announce a special dividend in the near future.

I did read somewhere about a possible 1 per share special dividend, but I think that this was just speculation and wishful thinking. With all that cash coming in and such strong earnings I think that we are due something.

I agree..