UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 12b-25
                                                                 SEC File Number
                                                                    1-12396

                                                                    CUSIP Number
                                                                     07384R-30-9

                           NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING


(Check one): [x] Form 10-K   [ ] Form 20-F   [ ] Form 11-K   [ ] Form 10-Q
             [ ] Form N-SAR

For Period Ended: December 31, 2001

[ ] Transition Report on Form 10-K
[ ] Transition Report on Form 20-F
[ ] Transition Report on Form 11-K
[ ] Transition Report on Form 10-Q
[ ] Transition Report on Form N-SAR

For the Transition Period Ended:  ________________________


If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify
the Item(s) to which the notification relates:

Not applicable

PART I - REGISTRANT INFORMATION

                                THE BEARD COMPANY
                             Full Name of Registrant


                           Former Name if Applicable

                          Enterprise Plaza, Suite 320
                                   5600 N. May
            Address of Principal Executive Office (Street and Number)

                          Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112
                            City, State and Zip Code

PART II - RULES 12b-25(b) AND (c)

If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense
and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should
be completed. (Check box if appropriate)

          (a)  The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this
               form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or
               expense;

          (b)  The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report
               on Form 10-K, For 20-F, 11-K or Form N-SAR, or portion thereof,
[x]            will be filed on or before the fifteenth calendar day following
               the prescribed due date; or the subject quarterly report of
               transition report on Form 10-Q, or portion thereof will be filed
               on or before the fifth calendar day following the prescribed due
               date; and

          (c)  The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule
               12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.

PART III - NARRATIVE

State below in reasonable detail the reasons why Forms 10-K, 20-F, 11-K, 10-Q,
N-SAR, or the transition report portion thereof, could not be filed within the
prescribed time period.

The Beard Company (the "Company") is in the process of finalizing a private
placement offering which would constitute a material subsequent event. The
Company hopes to have all or a major portion of the placement subscribed by the
extended due date of the Form 10K.

In addition, the Company is a plaintiff in a suit in which a Final Hearing is
scheduled on April 8, 2002 where the presiding judge will decide whether the
proposed settlement between the parties involved is fair and reasonable. The
Company believes the settlement will be concluded in the May to June time frame
of this year with anticipated proceeds to the Company of approximately $3.5
million. Distribution of the proceeds will have a significant impact on the
Company's liquidity. While third parties have been attempting to intervene in
the case and there exists a possibility that that appeals could delay the
settlement or that intervening parties could ultimately cause the settlement to
be overturned, the Company believes the likelihood of the settlement being
overturned is remote. Disclosures in the Form 10K could be impacted by the
decisions rendered at the April 8, 2002 hearing.

The Company feels disclosures based upon the latest information available
regarding these items would be beneficial to the reader of the consolidated
financial statements. The issues could not be resolved in time to meet the
required filing deadline.

PART IV - OTHER INFORMATION

(1)  Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
     notification

     Herb Mee, Jr.                  405                   842-2333
    President - Chief           (Area Code)          (Telephone Number)
    Financial Officer
         (Name)

(2)  Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) or the
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act
     of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the
     registratn was required to file such report(s) been filed? If answer is no,
     identify report(s). [x] Yes [ ] No


(3)  Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations from
     the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the
     earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion
     thereof?  [ ] Yes   [ ] No

If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively and
quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable estimate
of the results cannot be made.

The Beard Company (the "Company") anticipates that there will be a significant
change in results of operations from the year ended December 31, 2000 to the
year ended December 31, 2001. The Company anticipates that its 2001 results of
operations will reflect a loss in excess of $2.32 million, compared to a loss of
$3.03 million for 2000.


                                   SIGNATURES

THE BEARD COMPANY has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                   By:     HERB MEE, JR.
                                           Herb Mee, Jr.
                                           President - Chief Financial Officer

Date:  April 1, 2002