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):

April 23, 2012 (April 18, 2012)

Tri-Valley Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	001-31852	94-1585250
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

4927 Calloway Drive

Bakersfield, California 93312

(Address of principal executive office)

Issuer's telephone number: 661-864-0500

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On April 18, 2012, Tri-Valley Corporation issued a press release to report its financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. The release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

The information contained in this Item 2.02, including the financial results set forth in Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit Number	Description of Exhibit

99.1	Press release, dated April 18, 2012.

Signatures

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 hereunto duly authorized.

Date: April 23, 2012	TRI-VALLEY CORPORATION /s/ Maston N. Cunningham
	Maston N. Cunningham, President and Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Description of Exhibit
99.1	Press release, dated April 18, 2012.

TRI VALLEY CORP 8-K