SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC. 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 16, 2003 Equistar Chemicals, LP (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 333-76473 76-0550481 (State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S. Employer incorporation) File Number) Identification No.) 1221 McKinney Street Suite 700, Houston, Texas 77010 (Address of principal executive offices and zip code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 713-652-7200 Item 5. Other Events. On April 16, 2003 Equistar Chemicals, LP ("Equistar") announced that it will sell $450 million of 10-5/8% senior notes at par in a private placement offering announced earlier this week. The notes will mature May 1, 2011. Equistar's April 16, 2003 press release regarding the offering is being filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1. Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits. (c) Exhibits. 99.1 Press Release 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. Equistar Chemicals, LP By: /s/ Gerald A. O'Brien ----------------------------------------------- Gerald A. O'Brien Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary Date: April 16, 2003 INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit Number Description - ------- ----------- 99.1 Press Release