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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001246360-10-001624.txt : 20100318
<SEC-HEADER>0001246360-10-001624.hdr.sgml : 20100318
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100318181111
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001246360-10-001624
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100316
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100318
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100318

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:		1999 BROADWAY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3700
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80202
		BUSINESS PHONE:		303-999-4400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1999 BROADWAY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3700
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80202

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CRAWFORD GEORGE T
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001174817

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09735
		FILM NUMBER:		10692571

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O BERRY PETROLEUM COMPANY
		STREET 2:		1999 BROADWAY, SUITE 3700
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80202
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-03-16</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>false</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001174817</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CRAWFORD GEORGE T</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O BERRY PETROLEUM COMPANY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>5201 TRUXTUN AVE.</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>Snr VP of CA Production</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5017</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
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                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
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            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-03-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>false</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>98</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F16"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
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                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Held in 401(k) Plan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonstatutory Stock Option 12-6-02</value>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>8.25</value>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-12-06</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-12-06</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
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            </underlyingSecurity>
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            <ownershipNature>
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        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonstatutory Stock Option 12-05-03</value>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>9.97</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-12-05</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-12-05</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>40000</value>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonstatutory Stock Option 11-23-04</value>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-11-23</value>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-11-23</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
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        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonstatutory Stock Option 12-15-05</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>30.645</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2006-12-15</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-12-15</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonstatutory Stock Option 12-15-06</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>32.565</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2007-12-15</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2016-12-14</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
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                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>20000</value>
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            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
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                    <value>D</value>
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        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>2006 Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2007-12-15</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2016-12-14</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>2007 Restricted Stock Unit</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-12-14</value>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2017-12-13</value>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4759</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4759</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>NSO 2007</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>43.61</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-12-14</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2017-12-13</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
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                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>14279</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
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                    <value>D</value>
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        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>2008 Restricted Stock Units</value>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
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            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
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                <footnoteId id="F10"/>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-12-11</value>
                <footnoteId id="F11"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>26667</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>26667</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>2009 Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2010-12-11</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2019-12-11</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
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                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Perf Based RSUs 3-16-10</value>
                <footnoteId id="F12"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
                <footnoteId id="F13"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-03-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>false</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>8261</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F14"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2012-12-31</value>
                <footnoteId id="F15"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-12-31</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>8261</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8261</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive one share of Berry Petroleum Company Class A Common Stock</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The restricted stock units vests in four equal annual installments beginning December 15, 2007. Shares of Class A Common Stock will be delivered to the reporting person at the time of vesting.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The restricted stock units vests in four equal annual installments beginning December 15, 2007. Shares of Class A Common Stock will be delivered to the reporting person at the time of vesting.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">1 for 1</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive one share of Berry Petroleum Company Class A Common Stock</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">The RSU granted vest 25% per year beginning one year after grant but the receipt of shares are subject to a deferral period which is generally at least four years from grant date as per the deferral election.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">The RSU is subject to a deferral election.  Shares of Class A Common Stock will be delivered to the reporting person as per the terms of the deferral election.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">1 for 1</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive one share of Berry Petroleum Company Class A Common Stock</footnote>
        <footnote id="F10">The RSU granted vest 25% per year beginning one year after grant but the receipt of shares are subject to a deferral period which is generally at least four years from grant date as per the deferral election.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F11">The RSU is subject to a deferral election.  Shares of Class A Common Stock will be delivered to the reporting person as per the terms of the deferral election.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F12">1 for 1</footnote>
        <footnote id="F13">Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive one share of Berry Petroleum Company Class A Common Stock if certain pre-established performance factors, as set forth in the Company's Form 8-K dated March 18, 2010, are met.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F14">Per the Agreement this is the maximum number of performance based RSUs that may be received if all performance factors are achieved as outlined in the Form 8-K dated March 18, 2010.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F15">Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive one share of Berry Petroleum Company Class A Common Stock if certain pre-established performance factors, as set forth in the Company's Form 8-K dated March 18, 2010, are met.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F16">Shares of Common Stock acquired by the reporting person in the Company's 401(k) Plan.  All transactions were at market and were non-discretionary.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Kenneth A Olson under POA for George Crawford</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-03-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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