Exhibit 10.8

                            Summary Description of 
                            Equistar Chemicals, LP
                             Salary Deferral Plan

Eligibility:  Officers & certain Key Managers

Eligible participants have the ability to defer up to 50% of base salary and
100% of their annual incentive awards into an income deferral plan.  Elections
are made on an annual basis.  Earnings are credited at a market rate utilizing
the Moody's Investment Grade Bond Yield Index.  (Baa for Equistar for 1999.)