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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,
 BMOJsOivlElS+flpVIttMa6HcLQPEPBCqNIFMIogBWpjeUFz+wzwzHgI82CQBbB3
 nPemRwmMclv489pav2EeRg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001053169-04-000001.txt : 20040113
<SEC-HEADER>0001053169-04-000001.hdr.sgml : 20040113
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040113151553
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001053169-04-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040109
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040113

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MCDONALD JAMES F
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001053169
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			GA

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09971
		FILM NUMBER:		04522662

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA INC
		STREET 2:		5030 SUGARLOAF PARKWAY
		CITY:			LAWRENCEVILLE
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30044
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7702364624

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BURLINGTON RESOURCES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000833320
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311]
		IRS NUMBER:				911413284
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5051 WESTHEIMER
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1400
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77056
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7136249500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5051 WESTHEIMER
		STREET 2:		STE 1400
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77056
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2004-01-09</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000833320</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BURLINGTON RESOURCES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BR</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001053169</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MCDONALD JAMES F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>SCIENTIFIC-ATLANTA, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>5030 SUGARLOAF PARKWAY</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LAWRENCEVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30044</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Phantom Stock Units</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><footnoteId id="F1"/></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2004-01-09</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>17</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>57.30</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F1"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F1"/></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyin
gSecurityShares><value>17</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>6293</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1"> 1 for 1.  These phantom stock units were acquired under the Company's deferred compensation plans and are to be settled in cash upon retirement or other termination from the Company.   </footnote></footnotes><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>James F. McDonald  </signatureName><signatureDate>2004-01-13</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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