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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 TBI3cp9cl6SxfC++PItrLaV1G5KWQL4VVPHJnzX0ZFmkOjHfP9KnVbFVuc2i7Zl6
 1EDY6ASkp4+r7UlYcKFWyg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001177419-05-000002.txt : 20050128
<SEC-HEADER>0001177419-05-000002.hdr.sgml : 20050128
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050128163258
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001177419-05-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050126
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050128
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050128

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SHAPIRO STEVEN J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001177419

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09971
		FILM NUMBER:		05558639

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O BURLINGTON RESOURCES INC
		STREET 2:		5051 WESTHEIMER #1400
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77056
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7136249500

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:		717 TEXAS AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 2100
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77002
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7136249500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		717 TEXAS AVENUE
		STREET 2:		STE 2100
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77002
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
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    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-01-26</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000833320</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BURLINGTON RESOURCES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001177419</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SHAPIRO STEVEN J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>BURLINGTON RESOURCES INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>717 TEXAS AVENUE, SUITE 2100</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77002</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Executive V.P. and C.F.O.</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-01-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>112854</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
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    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
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            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-01-26</value>
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            <transactionAmounts>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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            <exerciseDate>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-01-25</value>
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            </underlyingSecurity>
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                    <value>2200</value>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>32800</value>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
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                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
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        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Performance Share Units</value>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
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            <transactionDate>
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                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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                <transactionShares>
                    <value>62500</value>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
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                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                    <value>62500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>62500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
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            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-01-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>83334</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>44.215</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
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            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>83334</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>167371</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares were awarded under the Burlington Resources Inc. (BR) 2002 Stock Incentive Plan, are subject to restriction on sale or transfer, are not fully vested, and are subject to risk of forfeiture on or before January 26, 2008.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The options vest in two equal annual installments beginning on January 26, 2006.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">1 for 1.  These units vested under the BR 2001 Performance Share Unit Plan.  The Compensation Committee of BR's Board of Directors may, in its discretion, vest units annually based on the Company's achievement of its strategic, operating and financial objectives.  A cash pay-out of vested units occured on January 26, 2005.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">1 for 1</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Immediately.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">These phantom stock units were acquired under the Company's deferred compensation plan and are to be settled in cash upon retirement or other termination from the Company.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Steven S. Shapiro</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-01-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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