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) November 23, 2004
Berry Petroleum Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-9735 77-0079387
(State or other (Commission IRS Employer
jurisdiction of File 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)
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Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On November 23, 2004, Berry Petroleum Company (Berry) entered into an
option agreement with Logan Magruder, Senior Vice President of Rocky Mountain
and Mid-Continent Region of Berry, granting options on 35,000 shares of
Berry's Class A Common Stock at the closing price of $43.16 per share,
vesting over four years at 8,750 shares per year. A copy of the option
agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.
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/Treasurer
November 24, 2004
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