SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                       Washington, D.C.  20549
                      __________________________

                              FORM 8-K


                           CURRENT REPORT


              Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                 Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)    May 8, 2003

                     Berry Petroleum Company
    (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

  Delaware                    1-9735                  77-0079387
(State or other           (Commission File          IRS Employer
jurisdiction of               Number)            Identification No.
incorporation)

       5201 Truxtun Avenue, Suite 300 Bakersfield, CA  93309
            (Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (661) 616-3900


                              N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)











Item 5. Other Events

     On May 8, 2003, Berry Petroleum Company, a Delaware
corporation, issued a press release, a copy of which is attached
hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7.  Financial Statements, Proforma Financial Information
and Exhibits

     (c)  Exhibits

     99.1   Press Release of Berry Petroleum Company dated
            May 8, 2003.



                       SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly
authorized.

                              BERRY PETROLEUM COMPANY



                          By     /s/ Kenneth A. Olson
                          Name:    Kenneth A. Olson
                          Title:   Corporate Secretary
                                   and Treasurer

     May 8, 2003