Represents the net book value of the property, plant, and equipment associated with the financing obligation of the E. Texas gathering system.

No definition available.

Name:	bry_FinancingObligationPropertyPlantandEquipmentNet
Namespace Prefix:	bry_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	bry_GasGatheringAgreementsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	bry_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the total costs incurred under the gas gathering agreements

No definition available.

Name:	bry_GatheringAgreementsTotalCostIncurred
Namespace Prefix:	bry_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Represents the minimum amount of crude oil per day to be sold under the contract.

No definition available.

Name:	bry_MinimumContractualDailyCrudeOilSales
Namespace Prefix:	bry_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the proceeds from the gathering system received upon closing the financing obligation.

No definition available.

Name:	bry_ProceedsFromGasGatheringSystemFinancingObligation
Namespace Prefix:	bry_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of daily production of the applicable energy source.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Industry Guide

-Number 2

-Paragraph 8

-Subparagraph A

Name:	us-gaap_OilAndGasDeliveryCommitmentsAndContractsDailyProduction
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2009	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
East Texas [Member]
E. Texas Gathering System
Proceeds from gas gathering system, financing obligation	$ 18.4
Net book value of property	16.7
E. Texas gathering agreements, total cost incurred		$ 0.8	$ 1.2	$ 2.5	$ 4.3
Gross [Member] \| Uinta
Uinta Crude Oil Sales Contract
Sales contract, minimum purchase of crude oil (in Bbl/D)				5,000
Gross oil production average (in Bbl/D)				4,035