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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 HUY/+U8U2eRf4mkpdGPUrI04iLStnMNu6oCEUDNwcjj4qhQpZHQcQGYy56pkksl5
 qQJB5gCh8G5xkBfqfPBd9w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001246360-06-001594.txt : 20060605
<SEC-HEADER>0001246360-06-001594.hdr.sgml : 20060605
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060605170825
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001246360-06-001594
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060518
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060605
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060605

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Ayers William B
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001364755

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09735
		FILM NUMBER:		06886976

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		661-616-3900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5201 TRUXTUN AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 300
		CITY:			BAKERSFIELD
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			93309

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BERRY PETROLEUM CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000778438
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311]
		IRS NUMBER:				770079387
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5201 TRUXTUN AVENUE,
		STREET 2:		SUITE 300
		CITY:			BAKERSFIELD
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			93309-0640
		BUSINESS PHONE:		661 616-3900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		BERRY PETROLEUM CO
		STREET 2:		5201 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 300
		CITY:			BAKERSFIELD
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			93309-0640
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-05-18</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000778438</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BERRY PETROLEUM CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BRY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001364755</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Ayers William B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>5201 TRUXTUN AVE., SUITE 300</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BAKERSFIELD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>93309</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>false</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>true</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>false</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>false</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <remarks>Holdings of W. B. Ayers on the date of his appointment as the Vice President of Human Resources for Berry Petroleum Company.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Kenneth A. Olson under POA for W. B. Ayers</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-06-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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