-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Q+ZKmGBTw4vwb50Y0d49U6KCW8rZsgUZiC4SwGv7P670Wk43sujT+PfuH38zNDI7
 1G5kqACGkLmL3E71ZHN4MQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000716039-04-000088.txt : 20040504
<SEC-HEADER>0000716039-04-000088.hdr.sgml : 20040504
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040504112245
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000716039-04-000088
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040501
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040504

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RICE DONALD B
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001183516

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08483
		FILM NUMBER:		04776013

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1545 17TH STREET
		CITY:			SANTA MONICA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90404

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			UNOCAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000716039
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311]
		IRS NUMBER:				953825062
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2141 ROSECRANS AVE
		STREET 2:		STE 4000
		CITY:			EL SEGUNDO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90245
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3107267600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2141 ROSECRANS AVE
		STREET 2:		STE 4000
		CITY:			EL SEGUNDO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90245
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>f4forrice.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000716039</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>UNOCAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>UCL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001183516</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RICE DONALD B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>AGENSYS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1545 17TH STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SANTA MONICA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90404</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>36.31</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2284.</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-05-01</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-05-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock $1.00 Par Value</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2284.</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2284.</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The option becomes exercisable in two equal installments on
5-1-2005 and 5-1-2006</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Common Stock has attached Preferred Stock Purchase Rights.
If and when the Rights become exercisable, the holders
would initially be entitled to purchase one one-hundredth
of a share of Series B Junior Participating Preferred stock
at a purchase price determined pursuant to the Rights
Agreement.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Paul R. Moore, Attorney-In-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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