<SUBMISSION>
<TYPE> SC 13D
<LIVE>
<DOCUMENT-COUNT> 1
<SROS> NASD
<FILER>
<CIK> 0001106501
<CCC> oq*xc4in
</FILER>
<SUBJECT-COMPANY>
<CIK> 0000081318
<NAME> PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
<IRS-NUMBER> 94-0787340
</SUBJECT-COMPANY>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE> SC 13D
<TEXT>
<html>
<head>
<title>Schedule 13D</title>
</head>
<body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" link="#807331" vlink="#FF0000">
<h4 align="center">UNITED STATES</h4>
<h4 align="center">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </h4>
<h4 align="center">Washington, D.C. 20549</h4>
<h3 align="center">SCHEDULE 13D/A</h3>
<h4 align="center">Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </h4>
<h4 align="center">(Amendment No. 6)*</h4>
<pre>
<strong>PYRAMID OIL COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA</strong></pre>
<hr noshade width="640">
<p align="center">(Name of Issuer)</p>
<pre>
<strong>COMMON STOCK</strong></pre>
<hr noshade width="640">
<p align="center">(Title of Class of Securities)</p>
<pre>
<strong>747215101</strong></pre>
<hr noshade width="640">
<p align="center">(CUSIP Number)</p>
<pre>
<strong>RONALD ZLATNISKI, 731 PRINCE RD, GREENSBORO, NC 27455 (336) 282-3078</strong></pre>
<hr noshade width="640">
<p align="center">(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person<br>
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)</p>
<pre>
<strong>January 28, 2002</strong></pre>
<hr noshade width="640">
<p align="center">(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this
Statement) </p>
<blockquote>
<p>If the filing person has previously filed a statement on
Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of
this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of
240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the
following box. [ ] </p>
<p><b>Note</b>: Schedules filed in paper format shall include
a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including
all exhibits. See 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom
copies are to be sent. </p>
<p><sup>*</sup> The remainder of this cover page shall be
filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this
form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for
any subsequent amendment containing information which would
alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page. </p>
<p>The information required on the remainder of this cover
page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the
purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of
that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other
provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).</p>
</blockquote>
<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="640">
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="4"><p align="left">CUSIP No. <strong>747215101</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="4"><hr noshade>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"> </td>
<td align="right">1.</td>
<td align="center" colspan="2"><p align="left">Names of
Reporting Persons. I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above
persons (entities only).</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"> </td>
<td align="center"><br>
</td>
<td align="center" colspan="2"><p align="left"><strong>RONALD
A. ZLATNISKI</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="4"><hr noshade>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"> </td>
<td align="right">2.</td>
<td align="center" colspan="2"><p align="left">Check the
Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"> </td>
<td align="center"> </td>
<td align="center">(a) </td>
<td align="center"><p align="left"><strong>X</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"> </td>
<td align="center"> </td>
<td align="center">(b)</td>
<td align="center">..........................................................................................................................................</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="4"><hr noshade>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"> </td>
<td align="right">3.</td>
<td align="center" colspan="2"><p align="left">SEC Use
Only</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="4"><hr noshade>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"> </td>
<td align="right">4.</td>
<td align="center" colspan="2"><p align="left">Source of
Funds (See Instructions) <strong>PF</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="4"><hr noshade>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"> </td>
<td align="right">5.</td>
<td align="center" colspan="2">Check if Disclosure of
Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or
2(e) </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="4"><hr noshade>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"> </td>
<td align="right">6.</td>
<td align="center" colspan="2"><p align="left">Citizenship
or Place of Organization: <strong>UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="4"><hr noshade>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" rowspan="8" colspan="2">Number of<br>
Shares<br>
Beneficially<br>
Owned by<br>
Each<br>
Reporting<br>
Person With</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">7.</td>
<td align="center"><p align="left">Sole Voting Power: <strong>142,964</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="2"><hr noshade>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">8.</td>
<td align="center"><p align="left">Shared Voting Power: <strong>148,564
</strong>/1/</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="2"><hr noshade>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">9.</td>
<td align="center"><p align="left">Sole Dispositive
Power: <strong>142,964</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="2"><hr noshade>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">10.</td>
<td align="center"><p align="left">Shared Dispositive
Power:<strong> 148,564 /</strong>1/</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="4"><hr noshade>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"><br>
</td>
<td align="right">11.</td>
<td align="center" colspan="2"><p align="left">Aggregate
Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person: <strong>148,964
</strong>/1/</p>
<p align="left">/1/ Includes 5,600 shares held by
Virginia Zlatniski, wife of Ronald Zlatniski</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="4"><hr noshade>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"> </td>
<td align="right">12.</td>
<td align="center" colspan="2"><p align="left">Check if
the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares
(See Instructions) </p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="4"><hr noshade>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"> </td>
<td align="right">13.</td>
<td align="center" colspan="2"><p align="left">Percent of
Class Represented by Amount in Row (11): <strong>5.95%</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="4"><hr noshade>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center"> </td>
<td align="right" valign="top">14.</td>
<td align="center" colspan="2"><p align="left">Type of
Reporting Person (See Instructions):</p>
<p align="left">Individual</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="4"><hr noshade>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="640">
<tr>
<td><b>Item 1.</b></td>
<td colspan="2"><b>Security and Issuer</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3">This statement relates to the Common
Stock of Pyramid Oil Company of California. The address
is: 2008 21st Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Item 2.</b></td>
<td colspan="2"><b>Identity and Background:</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3">This statement is filed by Mr. Ronald A.
Zlatniski, a United States Citizen, residing at:
731 Prince Road, Greensboro, NC. His employer is
Central Carolina Bank and Trust Company, P.O. Box
30010, Durham, NC 27702. In the past five years, Mr.
Zlatniski has been employed in various administrative
positions within the banking, trust and securities
industries. Mr. Zlatniski has held both NASD Series 7
and 63 licenses, both of which are expired.
Within this time, Mr. Zlatniski has also held positions
at North Carolina Trust (Greensboro, NC), NationsBank
(Greensboro, NC) and The Suffolk County National Bank,
(Riverhead, NY). Mr. Zlatniski was a Bank Officer at The
Suffolk County National Bank in the Investor Relations
Department.</p>
<p>Mr. Zlatniski has not been convicted in any criminal
proceeding (excluding minor traffic violations or similar
misdemeanors), nor has been party to a civil proceeding
of judicial or administrative body of competent
jurisdiction subjecting him to a judgement, decree or
final order enjoining future violations of, or
prohibiting or mandating activities subject to Federal or
State Securities laws or finding any violation with
respect to such laws.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Item 3.</b></td>
<td colspan="2"><b>Source and Amount of Funds or Other
Consideration</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3">All shares were purchased with personal
funds in Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) or Personal
Brokerage accounts held in the name of Ronald
Zlatniski, except for 5,600 shares held in an
IRA in the name of Virginia Zlatniski, as disclosed
above.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Item 4.</b></td>
<td colspan="2"><b>Purpose of Transaction</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3">The shares of Pyramid Oil referenced in
this statement were purchased for investment purposes.
Mr. Zlatniski continues to closely monitor the
financial condition and direction of the Company. Mr.
Zlatniski may acquire additional shares of the
Company in the future, or dispose of some or all of
his holdings depending on conditions such as the
availability of shares and the financial performance and/or
direction of the Company. Mr. Zlatniski may decide to
nominate a director to the Board of Directors or
submit proposals to shareholders or management
in the future. Such proposals would depend upon
many factors, including the financial condition and
direction of the company, and/or other such business
decisions made by management. At the present time, Mr.
Zlatniski is satisfied with the performance and
direction of the company. Mr. Zlatniski also intends to
meet with management within the next thirty weeks to
informally discuss company matters and direction.</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Item 5.</b></td>
<td colspan="2"><b>Interest in Securities of the Issuer</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3">The aggregate number of shares covered by
this filing is 148,564 or 5.95% of the outstanding
common stock of Pyramid Oil Company. Approximately 86,560
shares are held in an IRA in the name of Mr. Zlatniski,
and 5,600 shares are held in an IRA in the name of his
Wife, Virginia Zlatniski. The remaining shares are held in
Various brokerage accounts, registered in the
name of Ronald A. Zlatniski, solely. Mr. Zlatniski has
sole power to dispose of and vote 142,964 shares, and
Mrs. Virginia Zlatniski has sole power to dispose of and
vote on 5,600 shares. An additional 1,400 shares of stock were
purchased in January 2002 on the NASDAQ Bulletin Board at the
price of $1.00 per share.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Item 6.</b></td>
<td colspan="2"><b>Contracts, Arrangements,
Understandings or Relationships with Respect to
Securities of the Issuer</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>None.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Item 7.</b></td>
<td colspan="2"><b>Material to Be Filed as Exhibits</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>None.</td>
</tr>
</table>
<h3 align="center"><i>Signature</i></h3>
<p>After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and
belief, I certify that the information set forth in this
statement is true, complete and correct. </p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="640">
<tr>
<td>January 28, 2002</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><hr noshade>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">Date</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><br>
/s/ Ronald A. Zlatniski</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><hr noshade>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">Signature</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><br>
Ronald A. Zlatniski</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><hr noshade>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">Name/Title</td>
</tr>
</table>
<p>The original statement shall be signed by each person on whose
behalf the statement is filed or his authorized representative.
If the statement is signed on behalf of a person by his
authorized representative (other than an executive officer or
general partner of the filing person), evidence of the
representative's authority to sign on behalf of such person shall
be filed with the statement: provided, however, that a power of
attorney for this purpose which is already on file with the
Commission may be incorporated by reference. The name and any
title of each person who signs the statement shall be typed or
printed beneath his signature. </p>
<h4 align="center">Attention: Intentional misstatements or
omissions of fact <br>
constitute Federal criminal violations (See 18 U.S.C. 1001)</h4>
</body>
</html>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>