Form 425

Filed by LinnCo, LLC and Linn Energy, LLC

Commission File Nos. 001-35695 and 000-51719

Pursuant to Rule 425 Under the Securities Act of 1933

And Deemed Filed Pursuant to Rule 14a-12

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Subject Company: Berry Petroleum Company

Commission File No. 001-09735

 

To:

  Linn Energy – All Users/Berry Petroleum Employees

From:

  Arden Walker

Subject:

  Personnel Announcement – Rockies Division

We continue to make progress in determining the leadership for new divisions created as a result of the acquisition. Today, we are pleased to announce that Russell des Cognets will join LINN Energy as General Manager for the Rockies Division, which will be based in Denver. Russell has more than 30 years of diverse technical and leadership experience, with a significant portion of his career spent in the Rocky Mountain region of the U.S. Most recently, Russell led the Wind River and Green River Basin organization at Encana Oil & Gas.

In May, Russell will join the LINN/Berry integration team to become familiar with both organizations prior to the expected July 1 closing date. In addition to the Uinta and Piceance asset team, the drilling and land functions will report directly to him. Those teams will be led by Wayne King, Production Operations Supervisor - Uinta/Piceance; J. T. Albi, Technical Supervisor - Uinta/Piceance; Tom Fast, Land Manager; and Steve Schmitz, Drilling Manager.

Join me in welcoming Russell to the LINN team and wishing him well in his new role!

Sincerely,

Arden Walker

Additional Information about the Proposed Transactions and Where to Find It 

In connection with the proposed transactions, LINN and LinnCo have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 that includes a joint proxy statement of LinnCo, LINN and Berry that also constitutes a prospectus of LINN and LinnCo. Each of Berry, LINN and LinnCo also plan to file other relevant documents with the SEC regarding the proposed transactions. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. You may obtain a free copy of the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents filed by Berry, LINN and LinnCo with the SEC at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain these documents by contacting LINN’s and LinnCo’s Investor Relations department at (281) 840-4193 or via e-mail at ir@linnenergy.com or by contracting Berry’s Investor Relations department at (866) 472-8279 or via email at ir@bry.com

Participants in the Solicitation

Berry, LINN and LinnCo and their respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transactions. Information about LINN’s directors and executive officers is available in LINN’s proxy statement dated March 12, 2012, for its 2012 Annual Meeting of Unitholders. Information about LinnCo’s directors and executive officers is available in LinnCo’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 dated June 25, 2012, as amended, with respect to its initial public offering of common shares. Information about Berry’s directors and executive officers is available in Berry’s proxy statement dated April 6, 2012, for its 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitations and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC regarding the proposed transactions when they become available. Investors should read the joint proxy statement/prospectus carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from Berry, LINN or LinnCo using the sources indicated above. This document shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 

This document contains forward-looking statements concerning the proposed transactions, its financial and business impact, management’s beliefs and objectives with respect thereto, and management’s current expectations for future operating and financial performance, based on assumptions currently believed to be valid. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical facts. The words “anticipates,” “may,” “can,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “intends,” “likely,” “will,” “should,” “to be,” and any similar expressions or other words of similar meaning are intended to identify those assertions as forward-looking statements. It is uncertain whether the events anticipated will transpire, or if they do occur what impact they will have on the results of operations and financial condition of LINN, LinnCo, Berry or of the combined company. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including but not limited to the ability of the parties to satisfy the conditions precedent and consummate the proposed transactions, the timing of consummation of the proposed transactions, the ability of the parties to secure regulatory approvals in a timely manner or on the terms desired or anticipated, the ability of LINN to integrate the acquired operations, the ability to implement the anticipated business plans following closing and achieve anticipated benefits and savings, and the ability to realize opportunities for growth. Other important economic, political, regulatory, legal, technological, competitive and other uncertainties are identified in the documents filed with the SEC by Berry, LINN and LinnCo from time to time, including their respective Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date hereof. None of Berry, LINN nor LinnCo undertakes any obligation to update the forward-looking statements included in this document to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.