CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
  We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration
statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 33-26867, 33-31564, 33-32683, 33-60785 and 333-
05399) of Lyondell Chemical Company (formerly Lyondell Petrochemical Company)
of the following reports which are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-
K.
 
  . Our report dated February 26, 1999 on our audits of the consolidated
    financial statements of Lyondell Chemical Company as of December 31, 1998
    and 1997 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
    1998
 
  . Our report dated February 6, 1998 on our audits of the financial
    statements of LYONDELL-CITGO Refining LP (formerly LYONDELL-CITGO
    Refining Company, Ltd.) as of December 31, 1997 and for each of the two
    years in the period ended December 31, 1997
 
  . Our report dated February 26, 1999 on our audits of the financial
    statements of Equistar Chemicals, LP as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 and
    for the year ended December 31, 1998 and the period from December 1, 1997
    (inception) to December 31, 1997
 
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
 
Houston, Texas
March 24, 1999
 
                                 EXHIBIT 23.1