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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001448968-10-000001.txt : 20100421
<SEC-HEADER>0001448968-10-000001.hdr.sgml : 20100421
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100421170311
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001448968-10-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100419
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100421
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100421

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Shellum Gysle R.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001448968

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-07246
		FILM NUMBER:		10762306

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		120 GENESIS BLVD.
		CITY:			BRIDGEPORT
		STATE:			WV
		ZIP:			26330

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000077877
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311]
		IRS NUMBER:				952636730
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NV
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1775 SHERMAN STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3000
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80203
		BUSINESS PHONE:		304-842-3597

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT CO
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 26
		CITY:			BRIDGEPORT
		STATE:			WV
		ZIP:			26330

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	YELLOW WING URANIUM CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19730606
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-04-19</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000077877</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PETD</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001448968</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Shellum Gysle R.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1775 SHERMAN STREET SUITE 3000</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DENVER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80203</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>CFO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-04-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>14578</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>25503</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Right (SAR)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>24.44</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-04-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>8490</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2011-04-19</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2020-04-19</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>8490</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8490</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The restricted stock vests in three equal installments on April 19, 2011, 2012 and 2013.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The SARs become exercisable in three equal installments on April 19, 2011, 2012 and 2013.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Gysle R. Shellum</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-04-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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