<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-02-10</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000778438</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BERRY PETROLEUM CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BRY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001296035</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Hadden Stephen J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1999 BROADWAY, SUITE 3700</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DENVER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80202</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>true</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>false</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>false</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>false</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks>This Form 3 is being filed to report the status of Mr. Hadden's holdings as of the date he was named to the Board of Directors of Berry Petroleum Company which was February 10, 2011.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Kenneth A Olson under POA for Stephen Hadden</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-02-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
