ARCO CHEMICAL CO
10-Q, 1998-04-29
INDUSTRIAL ORGANIC CHEMICALS
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<PAGE>
 
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                   FORM 10-Q
                                        

          [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1998
                                        
                                ---------------

                         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-9678

                                ---------------


                             ARCO CHEMICAL COMPANY
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)



          DELAWARE                                        51-0104393
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF             (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
 INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)

        3801 WEST CHESTER PIKE                           (ZIP CODE)
     NEWTOWN SQUARE, PENNSYLVANIA                        19073-2387
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

                                ---------------

                                 (610) 359-2000
              (REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)

                                ---------------

                                 NOT APPLICABLE
             (FORMER NAME, FORMER ADDRESS AND FORMER FISCAL YEAR, 
                         IF CHANGED SINCE LAST REPORT)


  INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT (1) HAS FILED ALL REPORTS
REQUIRED TO BE FILED BY SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934 DURING THE PRECEDING 12 MONTHS (OR FOR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD THAT THE
REGISTRANT WAS REQUIRED TO FILE SUCH REPORTS), AND (2) HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO SUCH
FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PAST 90 DAYS.
YES  X  NO 
    ---    ---   

  NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, $1.00 PAR VALUE, OUTSTANDING AS OF MARCH 31,
1998: 97,242,729.

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<PAGE>
 
                         PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                ITEM 1.  ARCO CHEMICAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                  (Millions of Dollars, Except Per Share Data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
 
                                                Three Months Ended
                                                     March 31,
                                                -------------------
                                                 1998       1997
                                                -------  ----------
<S>                                             <C>      <C>
 
Sales and other operating revenues               $ 934       $1,029
Costs and other operating expenses                 720          844
                                                 -----       ------
   Gross profit                                    214          185
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses        52           68
Research and development                            17           21
                                                 -----       ------
   Operating income                                145           96
 
Interest expense                                    18           22
Other (income) expense, net                         (8)           1
                                                 -----       ------
   Income before income taxes                      135           73
 
Provision for income taxes                          43           25
                                                 -----       ------
 
   Net income                                    $  92       $   48
                                                 =====       ======
 
 
Earnings per share:
  Basic                                          $ .95       $  .50
                                                 =====       ======
  Diluted                                        $ .95       $  .50
                                                 =====       ======
 
Cash dividends paid per share                    $ .70       $  .70
                                                 =====       ======
</TABLE>

                            See accompanying notes.

<PAGE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
                             ARCO CHEMICAL COMPANY
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                             (Millions of Dollars)


                                               March 31,  December 31,
                                                 1998        1997
                                                 ----        ----
                                     ASSETS 


Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                    $   39      $   29
   Accounts receivable, net                        614         612
   Inventories                                     467         484
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets        29          21
                                                ------      ------
      Total current assets                       1,149       1,146
                                                         
Investments and long-term receivables               61          64
Property, plant and equipment, net               2,495       2,534
Deferred charges and other assets (net of                
   accumulated amortization of $115 in 1998              
   and $113 in 1997)                               364         372
                                                ------      ------
                                                         
      Total assets                              $4,069      $4,116
                                                ======      ======

 
                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Current liabilities:
   Notes payable                                     $  110   $   98
   Long-term debt due within one year                    23       23
   Accounts payable                                     265      304
   Taxes payable                                         58       56
   Other accrued liabilities                            275      278
                                                     ------   ------
      Total current liabilities                         731      759
                                                     ------   ------
 
Long-term debt                                          773      792
Other liabilities and deferred credits                  225      215
Deferred income taxes                                   332      338
Minority interest                                       206      219
 
Stockholders' equity:
   Common stock                                         100      100
   Additional paid-in capital                           881      880
   Retained earnings                                    926      902
   Foreign currency translation                         (33)     (14)
   Treasury stock, at cost                              (72)     (75)
                                                     ------   ------
      Total stockholders' equity                      1,802    1,793
                                                     ------   ------
 
      Total liabilities and stockholders'  equity    $4,069   $4,116
                                                     ======   ======
 
                            See accompanying notes.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
                             ARCO CHEMICAL COMPANY
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                             (Millions of Dollars)
 
                                                     Three Months Ended
                                                          March 31,
                                                     ------------------
                                                        1998    1997
                                                       ------  ------

Cash flows from operating activities
      Net income                                         $ 92   $  48
      Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
          provided by operating activities:
            Depreciation and amortization                  52      57
            Changes in working capital accounts           (40)    (37)
            Other                                          14      (2)
                                                         ----   -----
 
      Net cash provided by operating activities           118      66
                                                         ----   -----
 
  Cash flows from investment activities
      Capital expenditures                                (44)    (60)
      Proceeds from asset sales                             -      20
      Other                                                 4       5
                                                         ----   -----
 
      Net cash used in investment activities              (40)    (35)
                                                         ----   -----
 
Cash flows from financing activities
      Dividends paid                                      (68)    (68)
      Repayment of long-term debt                         (14)   (158)
      Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt              -     158
      Net proceeds from notes payable                      10      21
      Other                                                 4       4
                                                         ----   -----
 
      Net cash used in financing activities               (68)    (43)
                                                         ----   -----
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash                     -      (4)
                                                         ----   -----
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                  10     (16)
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year             29      70
                                                         ----   -----
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period               $ 39   $  54
                                                         ====   =====

                            See accompanying notes.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                             ARCO CHEMICAL COMPANY
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
                             (Millions of Dollars)

 
                                             Three Months Ended
                                                 March 31,
                                            -------------------
                                             1998        1997
                                            -------     -------
Net income                                   $  92        $  48
 
Foreign currency translation, net of tax       (19)         (40)
                                             -----        -----
 
Comprehensive income                         $  73        $   8
                                             =====        =====
 
                            See accompanying notes.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED
                                        

NOTE A.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

         The foregoing financial information is unaudited and has been prepared
from the records of ARCO Chemical Company (the Company).  In the opinion of
management, the financial information reflects all adjustments (consisting only
of items of a normal recurring nature) necessary for a fair statement of
financial position and results of operations in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.  Certain amounts in 1997 have been reclassified
for comparative purposes.  These interim financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 1997.


NOTE B.  GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

         The Company is an international manufacturer of intermediate chemicals
and specialty chemical products, which it principally markets to other
industrial concerns. The Company operates in one industry segment. The
geographic distribution of the Company's markets is indicated by the table
below. In addition to total revenues by origin (point of sale), the Company has
also presented total revenues by destination (customer location). Intercompany
sales between geographic areas are excluded.

 
                                 Three Months Ended
                                      March 31,
                                 ------------------
                                    1998      1997
                                  ------    ------
                                (Millions of Dollars)

Total revenues (by destination)
      United States                 $477    $  531
      Europe                         251       264
      Other foreign                  206       234
                                    ----    ------
            Total                   $934    $1,029
                                    ====    ======
 
Total revenues (by origin)
      United States                 $567    $  639
      Europe                         281       292
      Other foreign                   86        98
                                    ----    ------
            Total                   $934    $1,029
                                    ====    ======
Pretax earnings
      United States                 $136    $   91
      Europe                          15         2
      Other foreign                    2         2
      Interest expense               (18)      (22)
                                    ----    ------
            Total                   $135    $   73
                                    ====    ======


         Pretax earnings include royalty charges made to foreign operations for
the use of Company technology.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
NOTE C.    INVENTORIES

         Inventories at March 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997 comprised the
following categories:
 
                                          1998  1997
                                          ----  ----
                                     (Millions of Dollars)

     Finished goods                       $329  $336
     Work-in-process                        51    45
     Raw materials                          44    58
     Materials and supplies                 43    45
                                          ----  ----
 
           Total                          $467  $484
                                          ====  ====


NOTE D.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

         Property, plant and equipment, at cost, and related accumulated
depreciation at March 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997 were as follows:
 
                                          1998    1997
                                        ------  ------
                                    (Millions of Dollars)

     Property, plant and equipment      $4,124  $4,149
     Less:  accumulated depreciation     1,629   1,615
                                        ------  ------
 
           Total                        $2,495  $2,534
                                        ======  ======


NOTE E.  CONTINGENCIES

         The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in a number of lawsuits,
all of which have arisen in the ordinary course of the Company's business.  The
Company is unable to predict the outcome of these matters, but does not believe,
based upon currently available facts, that the ultimate resolution of such
matters will have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial
statements of the Company.

         The Company is subject to other loss contingencies pursuant to federal,
state, local, and foreign environmental laws and regulations.  These
contingencies include possible obligations to remove or mitigate the effects on
the environment of the past disposal or release of certain chemical substances
at various sites (remediation costs).  The Company continues to evaluate the
amount of these remediation costs and periodically adjusts its reserve for
remediation costs and its estimate of additional environmental loss
contingencies based on progress made in determining the magnitude, method and
timing of the remedial actions that may be required by government authorities
and an evaluation of the Company's potential liability in relation to the
liability and financial resources of any other potentially responsible parties.

         At March 31, 1998, the Company's environmental liability totaled $43
million, which reflected the Company's latest assessment of potential future
remediation costs associated with existing sites.  A significant portion of the
liability is related to the Beaver Valley plant site, located in Monaca,
Pennsylvania.   The Company sold the Beaver Valley plant assets to NOVA
Chemicals Inc. (NOVA) on September 30, 1996, but retained ownership of the land
at the Beaver Valley plant site, substantial portions of which were leased to
NOVA.  On 

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
October 20, 1997, the Company, Beazer East, Inc. (Beazer) and the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) entered into a consent agreement
that acknowledged the completion of remedial investigations and conditionally
approved the proposed remediation methods at the Beaver Valley plant site, all
pursuant to a 1994 work plan previously agreed to by the Company and PADEP.
Following execution of the consent agreement, the Company transferred to NOVA
title to the previously leased portions of the land at the Beaver Valley plant
site. The Company continues to retain responsibility for remediation of the
land. Final approval of the remediation methods is subject to PADEP's approval
of risk assessment studies to be submitted by the Company in the near future.
The Company has an agreement with Beazer whereby Beazer has agreed to pay for
approximately 50 percent of the Beaver Valley plant site remediation costs. The
Company and Beazer have reached an agreement with the U.S. government whereby
the government will pay 28.5 percent of the costs incurred by the Company and
Beazer for remediation of substantial portions of the Beaver Valley site.

         The remainder of the liability is related to four other plant sites and
one federal Superfund site for amounts ranging from $2 million to $13 million
per site.  The Company is involved in administrative proceedings or lawsuits
relating to a minimal number of other Superfund sites.  However, the Company
estimates, based on currently available information, that potential loss
contingencies associated with these sites, individually and in the aggregate,
are not significant.  Substantially all amounts accrued are expected to be paid
out over the next five to ten years.

         The Company relies upon remedial investigation/feasibility studies
(RI/FS) at each site as a basis for estimating remediation costs at the site.
The Company has completed RI/FS or preliminary assessments at most of its sites.
However, selection of the remediation method and the cleanup standard to be
applied are, in most cases, subject to approval by the appropriate government
authority.  Accordingly, the Company may have possible loss contingencies in
excess of the amounts reserved to the extent the scope of remediation required,
the final remediation method selected and the cleanup standard applied vary from
the assumptions used in estimating the liability.  The Company estimates that
the upper range of these possible loss contingencies should not exceed the
amount accrued by more than $65 million.

         The extent of loss related to environmental matters ultimately depends
upon a number of factors, including technological developments, changes in
environmental laws, the number and ability to pay of other parties involved at a
particular site and the Company's potential involvement in additional
environmental assessments and cleanups.  Based upon currently known facts,
management believes that any remediation costs the Company may incur in excess
of the amounts accrued or disclosed above would not have a material adverse
impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

         The Company and the Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) are parties to an
agreement whereby the Company has indemnified ARCO against certain claims or
liabilities that ARCO may incur relating to ARCO's former ownership and
operation of the oxygenates and polystyrenics businesses of the Company,
including liabilities under laws relating to the protection of the environment
and the workplace and liabilities arising out of certain litigation.  ARCO has
indemnified the Company with respect to claims or liabilities and other matters
of litigation not related to the assets or businesses reflected in the
consolidated financial statements.  ARCO has also indemnified the Company for
certain federal, foreign, state, and local taxes that might be assessed upon
audit of the operations of the Company included in its consolidated financial
statements for periods prior to the July 1, 1987 formation of the Company.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
NOTE F.  EARNINGS PER SHARE

         In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128 "Earnings Per
Share." SFAS No. 128 required companies to adopt its provisions in financial
statements issued for periods ending after December 15, 1997 and required
restatement of all prior earnings per share ("EPS") data presented.  Basic EPS
is based on the average number of common shares outstanding during each period.
Diluted EPS includes the effect of outstanding stock options.
 
                                        Three Months Ended March 31,
                                           1998               1997
                                         --------           --------
                                     Shares     EPS     Shares     EPS
                                    --------  -------  --------  -------
                                    (Millions, except per share amounts)
  Earnings per Share:
      Basic.......................      97.2    $0.95      96.8    $0.50
      Dilutive effect of options..       0.1        -       0.1        -
                                        ----  -------      ----  -------
      Diluted.....................      97.3    $0.95      96.9    $0.50
                                        ====  =======      ====  =======
 

NOTE G.  SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

         Following is supplemental cash flow information for the three months
ended March 31, 1998 and 1997:
 
                                                            1998      1997
                                                           ------    ------
                                                          (Millions of Dollars)
Changes in working capital-increase (decrease) in cash:
      Accounts receivable                                    $(13)     $(48)
      Inventories                                              13        (6)
      Prepaid expense and other current assets                 (9)      (11)
      Accounts payable                                        (33)        1
      Taxes payable                                             3        16
      Other accrued liabilities                                (1)       11
                                                             ----      ----
      Changes in working capital accounts                    $(40)     $(37)
                                                             ====      ====
 
      The above changes exclude the effects of foreign exchange rate changes.
 
Cash paid during the period for:
      Interest (net of amount capitalized)                   $ 16      $ 17
                                                             ====      ====
      Income taxes                                           $ 20   $     -
                                                             ====   =======
                                                        

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
NOTE H.  RESTRUCTURING PROGRAM

         During the third quarter 1997, the Company recorded a pretax charge of
$175 million related to a previously announced restructuring program, which
included a review of all operations and assets.  Activities related to the
restructuring program are expected to continue through the end of 1998.  The
restructuring charge included $75 million of personnel-related costs and $23
million of exit costs.  Other charges included $77 million related to the review
of assets.

         Personnel costs included severance, pension enhancements, and other
ancillary costs for the reduction of approximately 630 employees worldwide in
manufacturing, commercial, research, and administrative activities.  Severance
payments and other ancillary costs, which will be paid from Company funds,
accounted for $54 million of the accrued liability.  Certain of these payments
can be deferred at the election of employees, and the Company estimates that
such payments will take place over the next two to three years.  Exit costs
included costs of canceling long-term contracts and leases related to certain
production, sales and administrative facilities, including $7 million related to
the write down of production assets.  Through March 31, 1998, approximately 380
employees have been terminated and approximately $19 million of severance and
ancillary costs have been paid out and charged against the accrued liability.
There were no payments of exit costs.


NOTE I.  COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

          In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 130, "Reporting
Comprehensive Income," which requires prominent disclosure of comprehensive
income, as defined, including comparative disclosure in interim financial
statements.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
                ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


                                    OVERVIEW

         The Company manufactures and markets intermediate chemicals and
specialty products, operating in a single industry segment.  It conducts
business primarily in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region.
 
         Each of the Company's two principal manufacturing processes yields its
key product, propylene oxide (PO), and one of two co-products, styrene monomer
(SM) or tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA).  The Company also manufactures numerous
derivatives of PO and TBA.  Among these are polyols, a key derivative of PO, and
methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), a principal derivative of TBA.  MTBE is used
in oxygenated fuels and as an octane additive.  The Company also manufactures
and markets toluene diisocyanate (TDI).  TDI and polyols are combined in the
manufacture of polyurethanes.

         Net income for the first quarter 1998 was $92 million compared with $48
million in the first quarter 1997.  The $44 million improvement was primarily
attributable to higher core product  volumes and the Company's cost reduction
program.  First quarter 1998 core product margins also improved as lower
feedstock costs were only partly offset by lower sales prices.
 

                             RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

PRODUCT VOLUMES

         Sales and other operating revenues included the sales and processing
volumes of the Company's core products and co-products for the first quarter
1998 and 1997 as set forth below.  Core products included PO, PO derivatives,
and TDI.
 
                                             1998    1997
                                            -----   -----
                                             (Millions)
 
     Core products (pounds)                 1,071   1,002
     Co-products:
       SM (pounds)                            699     708
       TBA and derivatives (gallons)          250     260

       The reported SM volumes included quantities processed for PO/SM II equity
partners (SM equity volumes) under long-term processing arrangements.  The SM
equity volumes were 216 million and 200 million pounds in the 1998 and 1997
periods, respectively.


REVENUES

         Revenues of $934 million in the first quarter 1998 decreased nine
percent compared to revenues of $1,029 million in the first quarter 1997,
reflecting lower average sales prices and lower co-product volumes, partly
offset by higher core product volumes. Average sales prices were generally lower
in 1998, reflecting a combination of lower feedstock costs, ongoing competition
in PO derivatives and TDI markets, the negative effects of a stronger U.S.
dollar on foreign sales, lower prices in Asian markets, and lower prices for co-
products,

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
MTBE and SM. MTBE prices were affected by significantly lower gasoline prices in
the 1998 period, while SM prices were affected by industry capacity increases in
the face of weaker demand, primarily in Asia. Core product volumes increased
seven percent in the first quarter 1998 versus the prior year period, reflecting
higher PO volumes and stronger demand for certain PO derivatives in the United
States and Western Europe, partly offset by lower volumes in Asian markets.
Weaker demand in Asian markets also affected SM export volumes. As a result,
total SM volumes declined slightly versus the 1997 period. TBA and derivatives
volumes decreased four percent, mainly due to lower contractual MTBE sales.


GROSS PROFIT

         Gross profit of $214 million in the first quarter 1998 increased $29
million compared to gross profit of $185 million in the 1997 first quarter,
primarily due to higher core product volumes and, to a lesser extent, fixed cost
reductions.  First quarter 1998 core product margins also improved as feedstock
costs decreased more than sales prices.  However, a significant portion of the
margin improvement in core products was offset by margin decreases in co-
products.  Gross profit as a percent of sales increased to 22.9 percent in the
first quarter 1998 compared to 18.0 percent in the 1997 period.
 

OTHER

         In total, selling, general and administrative and research and
development expense decreased $20 million, primarily due to the Company's cost
reduction program.  Other income of $8 million in 1998 compared to expense of $1
million in 1997.  The $9 million improvement is primarily due to lower foreign
exchange losses in the 1998 period.



                              FINANCIAL CONDITION


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES


         As of March 31, 1998, the Company had $39 million in cash and cash
equivalents compared with $29 million at December 31, 1997. The Consolidated
Statement of Cash Flows for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 shows that net cash
flows provided by operating activities were $118 million, whereas net cash flows
used by investment and financing activities were $40 million and $68 million,
respectively.

          Investment activities for the first quarter 1998 included capital
expenditures of $44 million.  On March 2, 1998, the Company's Board of Directors
gave approval to move forward with a new world-scale butanediol (BDO II) plant
in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, with an annual capacity of 250 million pounds.
The BDO II plant, in addition to the new PO 11 PO/SM plant in Rotterdam and a
number of capacity additions at existing facilities, are part of the Company's
five-year capacity expansion program.  The Company has revised estimates of the
cost of its five-year capital program from $2.3 billion to $2.0 billion,
reflecting expected cost savings and efficiencies in the execution of the
program.

          Financing activities for the first quarter 1998 included the payment
of a dividend of $.70 per share, totaling $68 million.  On April 16, 1998, the
Board of Directors declared a dividend of $.70 per share on the Company's common
stock, payable June 5, 1998.



                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
          In April 1998, the Company entered into foreign currency forward and
"zero-cost" range forward option contracts, with maturities ranging from 1998
through 2001, in order to minimize its foreign exchange exposure relating to the
planned BDO II plant construction in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The total
notional amount of foreign currency contracts outstanding, including such
contracts, is approximately $580 million. The hypothetical loss in future cash
flows of these new derivative instruments as of the date of their acquisition,
assuming a hypothetical change of 10 percent versus the contractual exchange
rates, was $17 million. Sensitivity analysis was used for this purpose, and
assumed strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus the Netherlands guilder.

          The Company maintains a credit agreement under which it can borrow
amounts up to $500 million.  At March 31, 1998, the Company had no outstanding
borrowing against the credit agreement, which is used to back up the Company's
commercial paper borrowing.

          It is expected that future cash requirements for capital expenditures,
dividends and debt repayments will be met by cash generated from operating
activities and additional borrowing.


FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOT YET ADOPTED

          In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 131, "Disclosures about
Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information." The statement will be
effective for the Company's 1998 annual financial statements. SFAS No. 131
established standards for reporting information about operating segments and
related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major
customers.  SFAS No. 131 supersedes SFAS No. 14, "Financial Reporting for
Segments of a Business Enterprise."  The Company currently reports one segment
under SFAS No. 14 guidelines.  It is still reviewing the impact SFAS No. 131
will have on its reportable operating segments.  SFAS No. 131 affects disclosure
only and will not affect reported earnings, cash flow or financial position.

          In March 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
(AICPA) issued Statement of Position (SOP) 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs of
Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use."  SOP 98-1 establishes
criteria for determining which costs of developing or obtaining internal-use
computer software should be charged to expense and which should be capitalized.
In April 1998, the AICPA issued SOP 98-5, "Reporting on the Costs of Start-Up
Activities."  SOP 98-5 requires costs of start-up activities and organization
costs to be charged to expense as incurred.   SOP 98-1 and 98-5 will affect the
Company beginning in calendar year 1999; the Company does not plan to adopt them
earlier.  The Company does not anticipate that adoption of the new SOPs will
have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
                          PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         Reference is made to the disclosures on page 9 of the Company's 1997
Annual Report on Form 10-K.



ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)  Exhibits:

   10.1  ARCO Chemical Company 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan, effective as of
         February 19, 1998.

   10.2  ARCO Chemical Company Change of Control Plan, effective as of 
         February 19, 1998.

   12    Computation of the Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

   27    Financial Data Schedule for the three months ended March 31, 1998.



(b)  Reports on Form 8-K:

   None.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE

         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 thereunto duly authorized.



                                       ARCO CHEMICAL COMPANY
                                            (Registrant)


                                       /s/ Van Billet
                                       ------------------------------------
                                                   (Signature)

                                       Van Billet
                                       Vice President
                                       and Controller
                                       (Duly Authorized Officer and
                                       Chief Accounting Officer)
 
Dated: April 29, 1998

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX


 
Exhibit
Number                           Description
- -------                          -----------

 10.1       ARCO Chemical Company 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan, effective as 
            of February 19, 1998.

 10.2       ARCO Chemical Company Change of Control Plan, effective as of
            February 19, 1998.

 12         Computation of the Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 27         Financial Data Schedule for the three months ended
            March 31, 1998.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1
                                                                    ------------





                             ARCO CHEMICAL COMPANY

                         1998 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

To record the adoption of the ARCO Chemical Company 1998 Long-Term Incentive
Plan, effective as of February 19, 1998, the undersigned, being duly authorized
to act on behalf of ARCO Chemical Company has executed this plan document at
Newtown Square, Pennsylvania on the 10th day of April, 1998.


ATTEST:                                     ARCO CHEMICAL COMPANY


BY: /s/ Valerie Harrison Perry              BY: /s/ Francis W. Welsh
    --------------------------------           ------------------------------
                                               Francis W. Welsh
                                               Vice President - Human Resources
<PAGE>
 
                             ARCO CHEMICAL COMPANY

                         1998 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                          <C>                                                                            <C>
ARTICLE I                    GENERAL PROVISIONS...........................................................    2
Section 1.                   Purpose of the Plan..........................................................    2
Section 2.                   Overview of the Plan.........................................................    2
Section 3.                   Definitions..................................................................    3
Section 4.                   Administration of the Plan...................................................    5

ARTICLE II                   STOCK OPTIONS................................................................    7
Section 1.                   Grant of Stock Options.......................................................    7
Section 2.                   Terms and Conditions of Stock Options........................................    7

ARTICLE III                  RESTRICTED STOCK.............................................................   10
Section 1.                   Grant of Contingent Restricted Stock.........................................   10
Section 2.                   Conversion of Contingent Restricted Stock into Performance-Based
                               Restricted Stock...........................................................   10
Section 3.                   The End of the Performance Period............................................   12
Section 4.                   The Performance Supplement...................................................   12
Section 5.                   Termination of Employment Prior to Completion of Performance Period..........   14
Section 6.                   Vesting of Performance-Based Restricted Stock................................   16
Section 7.                   Change of Control............................................................   17

ARTICLE IV                   MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.....................................................   19
Section 1.                   Option and Restricted Stock Limits...........................................   19
Section 2.                   Adjustment in Terms of Award.................................................   19
Section 3.                   Governmental Regulations.....................................................   20
Section 4.                   No Guaranty of Employment....................................................   20
Section 5.                   Relation to Benefit Plans....................................................   21
Section 6.                   Assignment or Transfer.......................................................   21
Section 7.                   Rights as Stockholder........................................................   21
Section 8.                   Withholding Taxes............................................................   22
Section 9.                   Amendment and Discontinuance of the Plan.....................................   22
Section 10.                  Effective Date...............................................................   23
Section 11.                  Term of Plan.................................................................   23
Section 12.                  Miscellaneous................................................................   23
</TABLE>
                                       i
<PAGE>
 
                                    ARTICLE I

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS


 SECTION 1.    PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

               The purpose of the Plan is to provide a select group of Company
executives and other key employees with specific incentives to work for long-
range value creation for the Company's stockholders and to enable the Company to
attract, retain, and motivate employees of superior capability.

 SECTION 2.    OVERVIEW OF THE PLAN

               The Plan encourages the creation of stockholder value over the
long-term by measuring Return on Capital Managed (RCM) and Total Stockholder
Return (TSR), and compensating executives and other key employees for
differential performance. The Plan has two components:

               The Performance Share Plan (PSP) measures the Company's RCM
generation and consists of a series of cumulative RCM goals for each Performance
Period. Under the PSP, the recipients of awards of Contingent Restricted Stock
become entitled to shares of Performance-Based Restricted Stock upon the
achievement of RCM performance objectives during the Performance Period. Once
all successive RCM objectives are achieved (or at the end of a period specified
by the Subcommittee, if earlier), the prevailing Performance Period ends and a
new period begins.

               The Stock Option Plan (SOP) provides for grants of non-qualified
stock options of the Company at the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock
of the Company on the date of grant.

               Typically, approximately one-half of each participant's Long-Term
Incentive Target Value will be delivered by the PSP, and one-half will be
delivered by the SOP.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 3.     DEFINITIONS

          As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

a.        "Affiliate" means any entity directly or indirectly controlled by,
     controlling or under common control with the Company.

b.        "Board" and "Board of Directors" mean the Board of Directors of the
     Company.

c.        "Change of Control" means a change of control as defined in the 
     Change of Control Plan.

d.        "Change of Control Plan" means the ARCO Chemical Company Change of
     Control Plan as adopted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of
     Directors on February 19, 1998 and as amended from time to time.

e.        "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

f.        "Common Stock" means the common stock of the Company, having par value
     of $1.00 per share.

g.        "Company" means ARCO Chemical Company.

h.        "Comparison Group" means the S&P Chemicals group, as defined or
     redefined by Standard & Poors, or such other comparison group of peer
     companies as the Subcommittee may designate for a Performance Period.

i.        "Contingent Restricted Stock" means a contingent grant of shares,
     under the terms and conditions set forth in Article III, Section 1, that
     has no indicia of ownership of Common Stock, that is granted in connection
     with a Performance Period and that may be converted to an award of
     Performance-Based Restricted Stock, following the achievement of
     Performance Objectives under the terms and conditions set forth in Article
     III, Section 2.

j.        "Eligible Employee" means a member of a select group of executives or
     other key employees of the Company who, in the sole discretion of the
     Subcommittee, are in a position to contribute significantly to long-term
     stockholder value creation.

k.        "Employment" means continuous service with the Company from the most
     recent date of hire.

l.        "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

m.        "Fair Market Value" or "FMV" of a share of Common Stock means the mean
     of the highest and lowest sale prices, or the closing sale price, of a
     share of Common Stock, whichever is higher, on the date in question as
     reported on the composite tape for issues listed on the New York Stock
     Exchange. If no transaction was reported on the composite tape for the
     Common Stock on such 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     date, the FMV shall be computed using the prices reported on the nearest
     trading day preceding the date in question. If the Common Stock should not
     then be listed or admitted to trading on such Exchange, FMV shall be the
     mean of the closing bid and asked prices on the date in question as
     furnished by any member firm of the New York Stock Exchange selected from
     time to time by the Subcommittee for that purpose.

n.        "Long-Term Incentive Target Value" and "LTI Target Value" mean the
     dollar value of all restricted stock and stock options to be granted to an
     Eligible Employee.

o.        "Performance-Based Restricted Stock" means shares of Common Stock that
     have been converted from Contingent Restricted Stock and that remain
     subject to restriction on transfer and assignment and to other conditions
     during the applicable Restriction Period.

p.        "Performance Objective" means a specified level of Company
     performance, measured by cumulative RCM achievement.

q.        "Performance Period" means the period of time established by the
     Subcommittee at the time of a grant of Contingent Restricted Stock over
     which the Company's RCM performance will be measured and Performance-Based
     Restricted Stock may be earned.

r.        "Performance Ranking" means the ranking of the Company in Total 
     Stockholder Return as measured among the Comparison Group over the 
     applicable Performance Period.

s.        "Performance Supplement" means the share multiplier that may be
     applied to the shares of Performance-Based Restricted Stock at the end of a
     Performance Period.

t.        "Plan" means the ARCO Chemical Company 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan,
     including any amendments hereof and rules and regulations hereunder.

u.        "Restricted Stock Target Value" means the target dollar value of
     Contingent Restricted Stock to be awarded to an Eligible Employee.

v.        "Restriction Period" means the period of time specified by the
     Subcommittee during which the restriction and forfeiture conditions of
     Performance-Based Restricted Stock apply.

w.        "Retirement Plan" means a retirement plan of the Company that provides
     a retirement allowance to an Eligible Employee, other than a Section 401(k)
     plan or other savings plan, as determined by the Subcommittee.

x.        "Return on Capital Managed" and "RCM" mean the financial measure equal
     to the difference between net operating profit after tax (NOPAT) and a
     capital charge, where the capital charge equals average capital multiplied
     by the Company's weighted average cost of capital rate, as determined by
     the Subcommittee.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
y.        "Stock Option Target Value" means the target dollar value of Stock
     Options to be awarded to an Eligible Employee.

z.        "Stock Options" means options to purchase Common Stock under the terms
     and conditions set forth in Article II of the Plan.

aa.       "Subcommittee" means the Long-Term Incentive Plan Administration
     Subcommittee of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

bb.       "Total Stockholder Return" and "TSR" mean the sum of the dividends
     and appreciation or depreciation of the price of a share of Common Stock
     over an applicable Performance Period.

SECTION 4.    ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

a.            The Plan shall be administered by the Subcommittee. The
     Subcommittee shall have full power and authority to interpret the Plan, to
     adopt such rules and regulations as it may from time to time deem necessary
     for the effective operation of the Plan, to make factual determinations, to
     correct any defects in the Plan, to reconcile any inconsistencies, to
     supply any omissions and generally to act upon all matters relating to
     awards under the Plan. Without limiting the foregoing, the Subcommittee may
     (i) establish such vesting and other conditions with respect to awards
     under the Plan as it deems appropriate, (ii) accelerate the vesting and
     exercisability of any or all outstanding Stock Options and Performance-
     Based Restricted Stock at any time for any reason, (iii) provide that Stock
     Options may be transferable to family members, trusts of which family
     members are the only beneficiaries or partnerships or other entities of
     which family members are the only owners, on such terms as the Subcommittee
     deems appropriate, (iv) establish such terms for awards as may be
     appropriate to comply with applicable foreign laws, and (v) take any other
     actions consistent with the terms of the Plan. Any determination,
     interpretation, construction, or other action made or taken pursuant to the
     provisions of the Plan by or on behalf of the Subcommittee shall be final,
     binding, and conclusive for all purposes and upon all persons including,
     without limitation, the Company, the Company's stockholders and Eligible
     Employees, and their respective successors in interest.

b.             It is intended that the Subcommittee consist of "outside
     directors" as defined under Section 162(m) of the Code, and related
     Treasury regulations, and "non-employee directors" as defined under Rule
     16b-3 under the Exchange Act.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
c.             All grants under the Plan shall be subject to the terms and
     conditions set forth herein and to such other terms and conditions
     consistent with this Plan as the Subcommittee deems appropriate and as are
     specified in writing by the Subcommittee to the individual in a grant
     instrument or an amendment to the grant instrument. The Subcommittee shall
     approve the form and provisions of each grant instrument.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE II

                                 STOCK OPTIONS


 SECTION 1.    GRANT OF STOCK OPTIONS

               The Subcommittee may make grants of Non-Qualified Stock Options
to Eligible Employees in such amounts, at such times and upon such terms as the
Subcommittee deems appropriate.

 SECTION 2.    TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK OPTIONS

               All Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be subject to the
following terms and conditions:

a.             Option Price. The option price per share with respect to each
     Stock Option shall be fixed by the Subcommittee, but shall not be less than
     the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date the Stock Option is
     granted.

b.             Period of Option. A Stock Option shall expire and all rights
     thereunder shall end at the expiration of such period (not exceeding ten
     years) after the date the Stock Option is granted as shall be fixed by the
     Subcommittee at the time it grants the Stock Option.

c.             Exercise of Option. The Subcommittee may establish such vesting
     dates and other conditions on the exercise of Stock Options as the
     Subcommittee deems appropriate. Stock Options may be exercised during the
     term of the Options at any time after the vesting dates specified by the
     Subcommittee, subject to the provisions of Subsection 2(d) of this Article
     II and Section 7 of Article III. 

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
d.   Termination of Employment.

     i. If a participant's Employment terminates for any of the following
        reasons, but not for cause, the participant's Stock Options that are not
        vested shall continue to vest according to the applicable vesting
        schedule as if the participant's Employment with the Company had
        continued, and the participant (or his or her estate or distributee, in
        the event of death) may retain his or her outstanding Stock Options for
        the balance of the Option term:

        1. Death,

        2. Total and permanent disability,

        3. Termination of Employment with a right to an immediate
           retirement allowance under a Retirement Plan of the Company,

        4. Termination of employment as a result of a Change of Control,
           as described in Subsection (v) below, or

        5. Any other termination of Employment in connection with which the
           Subcommittee, in its sole discretion, determines that the
           participant's Stock Options shall not be canceled.

    ii. If a participant's Employment terminates for one of the following
        reasons, but not for cause (and under circumstances not covered by
        Subsection (i) above), the participant may retain his or her vested
        Stock Options for the balance of the Option term, and the
        participant's non-vested Stock Options shall be canceled, unless the
        Subcommittee determines otherwise:
        
        1. Resignation with the approval of the Company, or
        
        2. Reduction in force.

   iii. If a participant's Employment terminates for cause or for any other
        reason not described in Subsection (i) or (ii) above, all of the
        participant's vested and non-vested Stock Options shall be canceled,
        unless the Subcommittee determines otherwise. 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
   iv.  If a participant transfers employment to an Affiliate, the participant's
        Stock Options shall not be canceled, and the participant's Stock Options
        shall continue to vest during the participant's employment with the
        Company and its Affiliates. If the participant's employment with the
        Company and its Affiliates subsequently terminates under circumstances
        that would require cancellation of the Stock Options pursuant to
        Subsection (ii) or (iii) above, the applicable Stock Options shall be
        canceled.

    v.  For purposes of the Plan, a "termination of Employment as a result of a
        Change of Control" shall be considered to occur if a participant's
        employment terminates under circumstances that entitle the participant
        to receive plan benefits under the Change of Control Plan.

e.  Payment for Shares. Every share purchased through the exercise of a Stock
Option shall be paid for in full, in cash, within ten business days following
the time of exercise, or, if the Subcommittee so permits, in shares of Common
Stock valued at their Fair Market Value on the date on which such Stock Option
is exercised, or in a combination of cash and such shares. The participant may
exercise a Stock Option through a broker.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE III

                                RESTRICTED STOCK



SECTION 1.    GRANT OF CONTINGENT RESTRICTED STOCK

a.            At the commencement of each Performance Period, the Subcommittee
     may grant Contingent Restricted Stock to Eligible Employees in an amount
     approximately equal to the Eligible Employee's Restricted Stock Target
     Value as established by the Subcommittee. The Subcommittee may also make
     such other grants of Contingent Restricted Stock to Eligible Employees as
     it deems appropriate.

b.            Contingent Restricted Stock is only the potential right of an
     Eligible Employee to receive Performance-Based Restricted Stock. Contingent
     Restricted Stock is not vested and cannot vest. It can be converted, if
     earned, into Performance-Based Restricted Stock in accordance with Section
     2 of this Article. Contingent Restricted Stock is non-transferable and may
     not be pledged or otherwise encumbered.

SECTION 2.   CONVERSION OF CONTINGENT RESTRICTED STOCK INTO PERFORMANCE-BASED
             RESTRICTED STOCK

a.           At the commencement of each Performance Period, the Subcommittee
     will establish, in its sole discretion, the term of the Performance Period,
     the RCM Performance Objectives for the Performance Period, the methodology
     to be used to compute RCM, and the other terms of the Contingent Restricted
     Stock grants and Performance-Based Restricted Stock grants. The
     Subcommittee will establish the methodology to be used to compute RCM,
     based on the methodology used by the Company to compute RCM for other
     corporate purposes. The Subcommittee may establish a basic Performance
     Period (for example, four years) and an extended period (for example, six
     years), in which case the Performance Objectives may be attained at any
     time during the extended period. However, the Performance Supplement, if
     any, as described in Section 4 of this Article will only be payable if the
     Performance Objectives are attained during the basic Performance Period.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
b.           The Subcommittee will establish the Performance Objectives and the
     terms of the Contingent Restricted Stock grants and Performance-Based
     Restricted Stock grants in writing either before the beginning of the
     Performance Period or during a period ending no later than the earlier of
     (i) 90 days after the beginning of the Performance Period or (ii) the date
     on which 25% of the Performance Period has been completed, or such other
     date as may be required or permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code. It
     is intended that the Performance Objectives and terms of the Contingent
     Restricted Stock and Performance-Based Restricted Stock shall satisfy the
     requirements for "qualified performance-based compensation" under Section
     162(m) of the Code for employees covered by Section 162(m), including the
     requirement that the achievement of the Performance Objectives be
     substantially uncertain at the time the Performance Objectives are
     established and the Performance Objectives be established in such a way
     that a third party with knowledge of the relevant facts could determine
     whether and to what extent the Performance Objectives have been met. Except
     for the Performance Supplement (which shall be calculated based on the
     formula in Section 4 of this Article III), the Subcommittee shall not have
     discretion to increase the amount of compensation that is payable upon
     achievement of the Performance Objectives.

c.           RCM performance will be measured quarterly or on another schedule
     established by the Subcommittee to determine whether the Performance
     Objectives have been achieved.  If specified Performance Objectives are
     achieved, the appropriate portion of Contingent Restricted Stock will be
     converted to Performance-Based Restricted Stock effective as of the date on
     which the Subcommittee determines that the Performance Objectives have been
     achieved.

d.           The Subcommittee will review the RCM performance of the Company
     according to its pre-established schedule and will certify in writing that
     the Performance Objectives have been met and that conversion is authorized
     before Contingent Restricted Stock is converted into Performance-Based
     Restricted Stock.

e.           The Subcommittee shall have the right, in its discretion, to
     modify, amend, or otherwise adjust the Performance Objectives or terminate
     a Performance Period, subject to compliance with the requirements of
     Section 162(m) with respect to awards covered by that Section, if it
     determines an adjustment or termination would be consistent with the
     objectives of the Plan, taking into account the interests of the
     participants and the stockholders of the Company. The Subcommittee may
     consider, without limitation, accounting changes which substantially affect
     the determination of the Performance Objectives, changes in applicable laws
     or regulations which affect the Performance Objectives, corporate
     reorganizations, including spin-offs or other distributions of assets or
     stock, or other material events which the Subcommittee determines require
     an adjustment to the Performance Objectives or termination of a Performance
     Period.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
f.           Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Subcommittee may make Contingent
Restricted Stock and Performance-Based Restricted Stock grants that are not
intended to satisfy the requirements for "qualified performance-based
compensation," in which case the requirements of Subsection (b) above shall not
apply to such grants.

 SECTION 3.    THE END OF THE PERFORMANCE PERIOD

a.             A Performance Period ends at the earlier of the following:

               i.   The time when all the pre-established Performance Objectives
                    have been achieved, or

               ii.  The end of the Performance Period (including for this
                    purpose any extended period as described in Section 2(a) of
                    this Article).

b.             At the end of a Performance Period (including for this purpose
               any extended period as described in Section 2(a) of this
               Article), the following shall occur:

               i.   The portion of the initial grant of Contingent Restricted
                    Stock that has not been earned and converted into
                    Performance-Based Restricted Stock shall be canceled.

               ii.  The Performance Supplement may be applied, as described in
                    Section 4 of this Article, if all the Performance Objectives
                    were met within the basic Performance Period as described in
                    Section 2(a) of this Article, and

               iii. If the Subcommittee so determines, a new Performance Period
                    shall begin, including the award of an initial grant of
                    Contingent Restricted Stock applicable to the new
                    Performance Period to Eligible Employees in accordance with
                    this Article.

 SECTION 4.    THE PERFORMANCE SUPPLEMENT

a.             If all the Performance Objectives are met within the basic
     Performance Period (excluding any extended period as described in Section
     2(a) of this Article), immediately following the end of such Performance
     Period the Subcommittee shall apply the Performance Supplement. The
     Performance Supplement is a share multiplier between 0% and 50% used to
     supplement the shares of Performance-Based Restricted Stock previously
     earned and awarded to Eligible Employees under the Plan for the immediately
     concluded Performance Period in recognition of the Company's superior
     stockholder value creation.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
b.             To determine the Performance Supplement, the Total Stockholder
     Return during the elapsed Performance Period for the Company and for each
     company in the Comparison Group is measured. The TSR values are then
     ranked. Using the following table as an example, the Performance Supplement
     is determined as follows:


               Company TSR
             Rank Relative to               Performance 
             Comparison Group               Supplement
             ----------------               -----------
                    1                           50%
                    2                           40%
                    3                           30%
                    4                           20%
                    5                           10%
                   6-11                          0%

               The Performance Supplement will be calculated based on linear
     interpolation of the Company's TSR between the company ranked number 1
     (100/th/ percentile, with a Performance Supplement of 50%) and the company
     ranked at the median (50/th/ percentile, with a Performance Supplement of
     0%).  If the number of companies in the Comparison Group is different from
     the number used in the foregoing table, the percentages between 50% and 0%
     will be adjusted to take into account the number of companies in the
     Comparison Group.

c.             If the TSR value for one or more companies from the Comparison
     Group is within one percentage point of the TSR value for the Company, the
     Performance Supplement percentages for such companies will be averaged with
     the Company's percentage to determine the Performance Supplement.

d.             For each Eligible Employee, the Performance Supplement is
     multiplied by the number of shares of Contingent Restricted Stock that were
     earned and converted into Performance-Based Restricted Stock during the
     Performance Period, resulting in the grant of additional shares of
     Performance-Based Restricted Stock. The additional shares of Performance-
     Based Restricted Stock will be granted to the Eligible Employee as soon as
     practical after calculation and certification by the Subcommittee and will
     begin to vest according to the same schedule as other Performance-Based
     Restricted Stock as determined by the Subcommittee (for example, fifty
     percent on the first anniversary of the grant of 

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
     the Performance-Based Restricted Stock pursuant to the Performance
     Supplement and fifty percent on the second anniversary of the grant).

 SECTION 5.    TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF PERFORMANCE
               PERIOD

a.             If, prior to the end of a Performance Period, a participant who
     has been granted Contingent Restricted Stock terminates Employment for one
     of the following reasons, but not for cause, the participant shall be
     entitled to receive a pro rata share (as described below) of Performance-
     Based Restricted Stock for the Performance Period:

          i.   Death,
         
          ii.  Total and permanent disability,
         
          iii. Termination of Employment with a right to an immediate retirement
               allowance under a Retirement Plan of the Company, or

          iv.  Any other termination of Employment in connection with which the
               Subcommittee, in its sole discretion, determines that the
               participant should receive a pro rata share of Performance-Based
               Restricted Stock.

     Such a participant will be entitled to receive a conversion of the
     participant's Contingent Restricted Stock for the Performance Period into
     Performance-Based Restricted Stock as follows:
          
          i.   If and when the Performance Objectives are attained during the
               Performance Period, the participant shall be entitled to receive
               a conversion of the participant's Contingent Restricted Stock as
               if the participant had continued in Employment, provided that the
               total number of shares of Performance-Based Restricted Stock that
               the participant may receive during the Performance Period
               (including any shares previously received) shall not exceed the
               maximum amount described in subsection (ii) below. The remaining
               shares of Contingent Restricted Stock, if any, shall be
               forfeited.

          ii.  The maximum number of shares of Performance-Based Restricted
               Stock that the participant may receive during the Performance
               Period (excluding any Performance Supplement under subsection
               (iii) below) shall be the number of shares of Contingent
               Restricted Stock awarded to the participant for the Performance
               Period, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the
               number of full months during which the participant was employed
               during the Performance Period and the denominator of which is the
               number of 

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
               months in the Performance Period (for this purpose, the
               Performance Period shall be the basic Performance Period as
               described in Section 2(a) of this Article III, unless the
               participant's termination occurs within the extended period
               described in that Section). However, if the number of shares of
               Performance-Based Restricted Stock previously received by the
               participant before his or her termination of Employment exceeds
               the maximum number of shares computed above, the participant
               shall not be required to return any such shares to the Company.

          iii. In addition to the foregoing, at the end of the Performance
               Period, if a Performance Supplement is payable for the
               Performance Period, the participant will be entitled to receive a
               Performance Supplement with respect to the Performance-Based
               Restricted Stock earned and awarded to the participant for the
               Performance Period.

          iv.  Any Performance-Based Restricted Stock received by a participant
               after termination of employment shall vest according to the
               vesting schedule established by the Subcommittee pursuant to
               Section 6 of this Article III as if the participant's Employment
               with the Company had continued.

b.        If, prior to the end of a Performance Period, a participant who has
     been granted Contingent Restricted Stock terminates Employment for cause or
     for any other reason not described in Subsection (a) above, all Contingent
     Restricted Stock held on behalf of the participant shall be forfeited.

c.        If a participant transfers employment to an Affiliate, the participant
     will be entitled to receive a pro rata share of Performance-Based
     Restricted Stock for the Performance Period as described in Subsection (a)
     above. The participant's Performance-Based Restricted Stock shall vest
     during the participant's Employment with the Company and its Affiliates, as
     described in Section 6(f) of this Article III.

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 6.     VESTING OF PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK

a.             The Subcommittee shall determine the vesting schedule for
     Performance-Based Restricted Stock at the beginning of the Performance
     Period. Unless the Subcommittee determines otherwise, Performance-Based
     Restricted Stock shall become vested fifty percent on the first anniversary
     and fifty percent on the second anniversary after its conversion from
     Contingent Restricted Stock, if the Eligible Employee remains in Employment
     during each period.

b.             Dividends accrue on shares of Performance-Based Restricted Stock
     during the vesting period and are invested in additional shares of
     Performance-Based Restricted Stock, which become vested simultaneously with
     the underlying shares.

c.             During the period in which Performance-Based Restricted Stock is
     not vested, such stock shall be non-transferable and may not be pledged or
     otherwise encumbered. Each certificate for a share of Performance-Based
     Restricted Stock shall contain a legend giving appropriate notice of the
     restrictions in the grant. The participant shall be entitled to have the
     legend removed from the stock certificate covering the shares when all
     restrictions on such shares have lapsed. The Subcommittee may determine
     that the Company will not issue certificates for shares of Performance-
     Based Restricted Stock until all restrictions on such shares have lapsed,
     or that the Company will retain possession of certificates for shares of
     Performance-Based Restricted Stock until all restrictions on such shares
     have lapsed.

d.             If a participant's Employment terminates for one of the following
     reasons, but not for cause, before a grant of Performance-Based Restricted
     Stock has vested, the participant's non-vested shares of Performance-Based
     Restricted Stock shall continue to vest according to the applicable vesting
     schedule as if the participant's Employment with the Company had continued:

          i.   Death,

          ii.  Total and permanent disability,

          iii. Termination of Employment with a right to an immediate retirement
               allowance under a Retirement Plan of the Company, or

          iv.  Any other termination of Employment in connection with which the
               Subcommittee, in its sole discretion, determines that the
               participant's Performance-Based Restricted Stock should continue
               to vest.

e.        If a participant terminates Employment within any vesting period
     following the grant of Performance-Based Restricted Stock for cause or for
     any other reason not described in Subsection (d) above, all of the
     participant's non-vested Performance-Based Restricted Stock shall be
     forfeited.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
f.        If a participant transfers employment to an Affiliate, the
     participant's Performance-Based Restricted Stock shall not be forfeited and
     the participant's Performance-Based Restricted Stock shall continue to vest
     during the participant's employment with the Company and its Affiliates. If
     the participant's employment with the Company and its Affiliates
     subsequently terminates under circumstances that would require forfeiture
     of the Performance-Based Restricted Stock pursuant to Subsection (e) above,
     the participant's non-vested Performance-Based Restricted Stock shall be
     forfeited.


SECTION 7.     CHANGE OF CONTROL

 a.            In the event of a Change of Control, each participant's
     Contingent Restricted Stock for the next Performance Objective level shall
     be converted pro rata into Performance-Based Restricted Stock based on the
     Company's progress to the next Performance Objective level as of the date
     of the Change of Control. The Performance-Based Restricted Stock received
     upon such conversion shall be fully vested. The remaining shares of
     Contingent Restricted Stock, if any, shall be forfeited.

b.             Additionally, the Performance Supplement will be calculated and
     applied as of the effective date of the Change of Control, using the stock
     price on the effective date of the Change of Control, assuming the Change
     of Control occurs during the basic Performance Period (and not during an
     extended period as described in Section 2(a) of this Article). The
     Performance-Based Restricted Stock received pursuant to the Performance
     Supplement shall be fully vested.

c.             All Performance-Based Restricted Stock and Stock Options will
     become immediately vested upon the occurrence of a Change of Control.

d.             Upon a Change of Control where the Company is not the surviving
     corporation (or survives only as a subsidiary of another corporation),
     unless the Subcommittee determines otherwise, all outstanding Stock Options
     that are not exercised shall be assumed by, or replaced with comparable
     options by, the surviving corporation.

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
e.             Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, in the
     event of a Change of Control, no actions shall be taken under the Plan that
     would make the Change of Control ineligible for pooling of interests
     accounting treatment if, in the absence of such actions, the Change of
     Control would qualify for such treatment and the Company intends to use
     such treatment with respect to the Change of Control.

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE IV

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS



 SECTION 1.    OPTION AND RESTRICTED STOCK LIMITS

a.             The maximum number of shares of Common Stock for which Stock
     Options may be granted and which may be the subject of a grant of
     Performance-Based Restricted Stock (including, without limitation, awards
     pursuant to the conversion of Contingent Restricted Stock and awards
     pursuant to Performance Supplements) under the Plan is in the aggregate
     6,000,000 shares (subject to adjustment as described in Section 2 of this
     Article). The shares shall be made available from authorized Common Stock,
     issued or unissued, or from Common Stock issued and held in the treasury of
     the Company, as shall be determined by the Subcommittee. Shares of Common
     Stock subject to Stock Options that terminate, expire or are canceled
     without having been exercised, or shares of Performance-Based Restricted
     Stock that are canceled, may again be subject to grant under the Plan.

b.             No individual may be granted more than 300,000 shares of
     Performance-Based Restricted Stock (including, without limitation, awards
     pursuant to the conversion of Contingent Restricted Stock and awards
     pursuant to Performance Supplements) and/or Stock Options, regardless of
     the combination, in any calendar year.

 SECTION 2.    ADJUSTMENT IN TERMS OF AWARD

               In the event of a reorganization, recapitalization, stock split,
stock dividend, distribution of assets other than pursuant to a normal cash
dividend, combination of shares, merger, consolidation, rights offering, split-
up, split-off, spin-off or any other change in the corporate structure or shares
of the Company, the Subcommittee may, in its discretion, after consultation with
the Chairman of the Board and the President, make appropriate adjustments to
reflect such event in respect of (a) the limitations in Section 1 of this
Article IV, (b) the number of shares of Common Stock covered by, and the
exercise price per share applicable to, outstanding Stock Options, and (c) the
number of shares of Common Stock covered by outstanding awards of Contingent
Restricted Stock or Performance-Based Restricted Stock. In the event that the
Subcommittee, after consultation with the Chairman of the Board and the
President, determines that, because of a change (other than a Change of Control)
in the Company's 

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
business, operations, corporate structure, capital structure, assets or manner
in which it conducts business, which it deems to be extraordinary and material,
the terms of awards theretofore made are no longer suitable to the objectives
which the Subcommittee sought to achieve when it made such awards, it may modify
the terms of any or all of such awards in such manner as it may decide is
advisable; provided, however, that no award may be modified in a manner which
would be inconsistent with Section 162(m) of the Code, with respect to awards
covered by Section 162(m), or the intent of Subsection 1(b) or Section 9 of this
Article, or which would result in an increase in the shares of Performance-Based
Restricted Stock.

 SECTION 3.    GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS

               The Plan and the grant and exercise of Stock Options and the
award of Contingent Restricted Stock and Performance-Based Restricted Stock
hereunder shall be subject to all applicable rules and regulations of
governmental or other authorities. With respect to persons subject to Section 16
of the Exchange Act, it is the intent of the Company that the Plan and all
transactions under the Plan comply with all applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3
or its successors under the Exchange Act. In addition, it is the intent of the
Company that the Plan and grants under the Plan to covered executives comply
with the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, except as provided
in Section 2(f) of Article III. To the extent that any legal requirement of
Section 16 of the Exchange Act or Section 162(m) of the Code as set forth in the
Plan ceases to be required under Section 16 of the Exchange Act or Section
162(m) of the Code, that Plan provision shall cease to apply. The Subcommittee
may revoke any grant if it is contrary to law or modify a grant to bring it into
compliance with any valid and mandatory government regulation.

 SECTION 4.    NO GUARANTY OF EMPLOYMENT

               The grant of a Stock Option or award of Contingent Restricted
Stock or conversion to Performance-Based Restricted Stock under the Plan shall
not confer upon a recipient any right to continue in the employ of the Company
nor shall it interfere with or restrict in any way the right of the Company to
discharge an Eligible Employee at any time for any reason, with or without good
cause.

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
 SECTION 5.    RELATION TO BENEFIT PLANS

               Stock Options, Contingent Restricted Stock, Performance-Based
Restricted Stock and dividends on Performance-Based Restricted Stock will not be
considered as compensation for the purpose of any other benefit plans maintained
by the Company.

 SECTION 6.    ASSIGNMENT OR TRANSFER

               Unless the Subcommittee determines otherwise, no Stock Option or
share of Contingent Restricted Stock or Performance-Based Restricted Stock shall
be assignable or transferable by an Eligible Employee otherwise than by will or
the laws of descent and distribution.

 SECTION 7.    RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER

a.             An Eligible Employee under the Plan shall have no rights of a
     holder of Common Stock by virtue of an award of Stock Options or Contingent
     Restricted Stock hereunder, unless and until he or she becomes entitled to
     have shares of Common Stock or Performance-Based Restricted Stock issued to
     him or her pursuant to the Plan.

b.             An Eligible Employee who has received an award of Performance-
     Based Restricted Stock shall have the right to vote such stock. All
     dividends paid with respect to Performance-Based Restricted Stock shall be
     reinvested in additional shares of Restricted Stock, based on the Fair
     Market Value of Common Stock on the date the dividend is paid, and shall be
     subject to the same restrictions, including the date on which such
     restrictions lapse, as the shares of Performance-Based Restricted Stock
     with respect to which the dividends are paid. Stock received with respect
     to an award of Performance-Based Restricted Stock pursuant to a stock
     split, stock dividend, or other change in the capitalization of the Company
     will be held subject to the same restrictions on transferability that are
     applicable to such shares of Performance-Based Restricted Stock.

c.             No Common Stock shall be issued or transferred in connection with
     any grant hereunder unless and until all legal requirements applicable to
     the issuance or transfer of such Common Stock have been complied with to
     the satisfaction of the Subcommittee. The Subcommittee shall have the right
     to condition any grant hereunder on the participant's undertaking in
     writing to comply with such restrictions on his or her subsequent
     disposition of such shares of Common Stock 

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
     as the Subcommittee shall deem necessary or advisable as a result of any
     applicable law, regulation or official interpretation thereof, and
     certificates representing such shares may be legended to reflect any such
     restrictions. Certificates representing shares of Common Stock issued or
     transferred under the Plan will be subject to such stop-transfer orders and
     other restrictions as may be required by applicable laws, regulations and
     interpretations, including any requirement that a legend be placed thereon.

 SECTION 8.    WITHHOLDING TAXES

a.             The Company shall have the right to withhold from salary or other
     compensation or to cause the employee (or the executor or administrator of
     his or her estate or his or her distributee) to make payment of any
     federal, state, local, or foreign taxes required to be withheld with
     respect to any exercise of a Stock Option or award or vesting or deemed
     vesting of Performance-Based Restricted Stock.

b.             In the case of an exercise of Stock Options or the vesting of
     Performance-Based Restricted Stock, an Eligible Employee may elect to have
     the withholding obligation satisfied by having the Company withhold shares
     of Common Stock received upon the exercise of the Stock Option or the
     vesting of Performance-Based Restricted Stock, as the case may be.

 SECTION 9.    AMENDMENT AND DISCONTINUANCE OF THE PLAN

               The Subcommittee may amend or discontinue the Plan as it shall
from time to time consider desirable, provided that:

a.             No amendment shall, without further approval by the holders of a
     majority of the shares which are represented in person or by proxy and
     entitled to vote on the subject at a meeting of stockholders of the
     Company, change the terms of the Plan so as to increase the maximum number
     of shares upon which Stock Options may be granted or which may be issued
     upon a grant of Performance-Based Restricted Stock from the amounts
     described in Subsections 1(a) and (b) of this Article, reduce the minimum
     Stock Option price, or extend the maximum Stock Option period; and

b.             No amendment, discontinuance, or termination shall deprive
     persons who hold shares of Contingent Restricted Stock or Performance-Based
     Restricted Stock, or who are entitled to exercise Stock Options pursuant to
     the terms and provisions of the Plan, of their rights with respect thereto.

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
c.             If required by Section 162(m) of the Code, the Plan must be
     reapproved by the stockholders of the Company no later than the first
     stockholders meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in
     which the stockholders previously approved the Plan.

 SECTION 10.   EFFECTIVE DATE

               The effective date of the Plan is February 19, 1998.

 SECTION 11.   TERM OF PLAN

               The Plan will terminate at the end of the third consecutive
Performance Period (including for this purpose any extended period as described
in Section 2(a) of Article III), unless terminated earlier by the Subcommittee.

 SECTION 12.   MISCELLANEOUS

               The Plan shall be unfunded.  The Company shall not be required to
establish any special or separate fund or to make any other segregation of
assets to assure the payment of any grants under this Plan.  The participants
shall in all respects be unsecured creditors of the Company.  The validity,
construction, interpretation and effect of the Plan and grant instruments issued
under the Plan shall exclusively be governed by and determined in accordance
with the law of  the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

                                       23

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2
                                                                    ------------



                             ARCO CHEMICAL COMPANY
                             CHANGE OF CONTROL PLAN


To record the adoption of the ARCO Chemical Company Change of Control Plan,
effective February 19, 1998, the undersigned, being duly authorized to act on
behalf of ARCO Chemical Company has executed this plan document at Newtown
Square, Pennsylvania on the 9th day of April, 1998.



ATTEST:                            ARCO CHEMICAL COMPANY


BY: /s/ Valerie H. Perry           BY: /s/ Francis W. Welsh
    -----------------------           ------------------------------
                                      Francis W. Welsh
                                      Vice President - Human Resources
<PAGE>
 
                             ARCO CHEMICAL COMPANY
                             CHANGE OF CONTROL PLAN
                             ----------------------


     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors (the "Board") of ARCO Chemical Company, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), recognizes that the possibility of a
merger, takeover or other change of control of the Company may occur and can
significantly distract its executives and personnel because of the uncertainties
inherent in such a situation; and

     WHEREAS, the Board has determined that it is essential and in the best
interest of the Company and its stockholders to be able to retain the services
of its executives and personnel in the event of a Change of Control of the
Company, during the pendency of a possible Change of Control, and following a
Change of Control, to ensure their continued dedication and efforts in any such
event without undue concern for their personal financial and employment
security.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in order to fulfill the above purposes, the following plan
has been developed and is adopted as of the Effective Date.
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE I

                             ESTABLISHMENT OF PLAN
                             ---------------------

     Effective February 19, 1998, the Company establishes the ARCO Chemical
Company Change of Control Plan as set forth in this document.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                  DEFINITIONS
                                  -----------

     As used herein, the following words and phrases shall have the following
respective meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

     2.1  "Accrued Compensation" means any amounts (other than amounts
           --------------------                                       
payable under this Plan) earned, accrued or otherwise payable to a Participant
as of the Participant's Termination Date but not paid as of such Termination
Date in respect of (i) base salary and (ii) bonus amounts for Plan Years prior
to the Plan Year in which the Participant's Termination Date occurs.

     2.2  "Affiliate" means with respect to any person or entity, any
           ---------                                                 
entity, directly or indirectly, controlled by, controlling or under common
control with such person or entity.

     2.3  "Base Salary" means a Participant's annualized base salary (including
           -----------                                                         
any portion that the Participant may have elected to defer), calculated at the
greater of the rate in effect (i) immediately prior to a Change of Control or
(ii) as of the Participant's Termination Date.

     2.4  "Bonus Amount" means an amount equal to the greater of (i) a
           ------------                                               
Participant's target bonus amount (including any portion that the Participant
may have elected to defer) under the Company's Annual Incentive Plan (or
successor annual incentive plan) for the Plan Year in which the Change of
Control occurs or for the Plan Year in which the Participant's Termination Date
occurs, whichever is greater or (ii) the average bonus amount paid or payable to
the Participant (including any portion that the Participant may have elected to
defer) under the Company's Annual Incentive Plan (or successor annual incentive
plan) for the three Plan Years preceding the Plan Year in which the Change of
Control occurs.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          2.5  "Cause" means
                -----       

          (a)  for any Participant who is in Employee Classification A, B, C, D
or E as set forth in Appendix A, (i) the willful and continued refusal by the
Participant to perform substantially his or her reasonably assigned duties with
the Company (other than any such failure resulting from his or her physical or
mental incapacity) or (ii) the willful engaging by the Participant in conduct
which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or
otherwise. For purposes of this definition, no act, or failure to act, on the
Participant's part shall be deemed "willful" unless done, or omitted to be done,
by the Participant not in good faith and without reasonable belief that his or
her action or omission was in the best interest of the Company.

          2.6  "Change of Control" means at any time after the Effective Date
                -----------------                                            
and prior to the termination of the Plan:

          (a) An acquisition (other than directly from the Company) of any
voting securities of the Company (the "Voting Securities") by any "Person" (as
the term person is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")), immediately after which
such Person has "Beneficial Ownership" (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act) of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the
combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding Voting Securities;
provided, however, in determining whether a Change of Control has occurred,
- --------  -------                                                          
Voting Securities which are acquired in a "Non-Control Acquisition" (as
hereinafter defined) shall not constitute an acquisition which would cause a
Change of Control. A "Non-Control Acquisition" shall mean an acquisition (I) by
Atlantic Richfield Company, (ii) by an employee benefit plan (or a trust forming
a part thereof) maintained by (A) the Company or (B) any corporation or other
Person of which a majority of its voting power or its voting equity securities
or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company (for
purposes of this definition, a "Subsidiary"), (iii) the Company or its
Subsidiaries or (iv) by any Person in connection with a "Non-Control
Transaction" (as hereinafter defined);

          (b) The individuals who, as of the Effective Date, are members of the
Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute a majority of
the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the election or nomination
                          --------  -------                                    
for election by the Company's common stockholders of any new director (other
than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with
the Company to effect a transaction described in clause (c) of this 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
definition) was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent
Board, such new director shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a
member of the Incumbent Board; provided further, however, that no individual
                               -------- -------  ------- 
shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially
assumed office through either an actual or threatened "Election Contest" (as
described in Rule 14a-11 promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or
threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other
than the Board (a "Proxy Contest") including by reason of any agreement intended
to avoid or settle any Election Contest or Proxy Contest;

          (c) A merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company, unless
such merger, consolidation or reorganization is a "Non-Control Transaction."  A
"Non-Control Transaction" shall mean a merger, consolidation or reorganization
of the Company where:

              (i)  the stockholders of the Company immediately before such
merger, consolidation or reorganization, own directly or indirectly immediately
following such merger, consolidation or reorganization, at least sixty percent
(60%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the
corporation resulting from such merger or consolidation or reorganization (the
"Surviving Corporation") in substantially the same proportion as their ownership
of the Voting Securities immediately before such merger, consolidation or
reorganization, and

             (ii)  the individuals who were members of the Incumbent Board
immediately prior to the execution of the agreement providing for such merger,
consolidation or reorganization constitute at least a majority of the members of
the board of directors of the Surviving Corporation, or a corporation
beneficially directly or indirectly owning a majority of the Voting Securities
of the Surviving Corporation;

          (d)  A complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

          (e)  The sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company to any Person (other than a transfer to a Subsidiary); or

          (f)   a "Change of Control" of Atlantic Richfield Company. For
purposes of this Section 2.6(f) only, Change of Control shall mean Change of
Control as defined in the Trust Agreement, to be entered into by and between
Atlantic Richfield Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change of Control shall not be deemed to
occur if the Change of Control occurs solely pursuant to Section 2.6(a) and
results from an acquisition in a secondary offering of securities to the public
by Atlantic Richfield Company.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change of Control shall not be deemed to
occur solely because any Person (the "Subject Person") acquired Beneficial
Ownership of more than the permitted amount of the then outstanding Voting
Securities as a result of the acquisition of Voting Securities by the Company
which, by reducing the number of Voting Securities then outstanding, increases
the percentage of shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, provided that
                                                                   --------     
if a Change of Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a
result of the acquisition of Voting Securities by the Company, and after such
share acquisition by the Company, the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial
Owner of any additional Voting Securities which increases the percentage of the
then outstanding Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person,
then a Change of Control shall occur.

     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the
employment of an Eligible Employee is terminated (i) at the request of a third
party who has indicated an intention or taken steps reasonably calculated to
effect a Change of Control and who effectuates a Change of Control or (ii)
otherwise in connection with, or in anticipation of, a Change of Control which
actually occurs, then for purposes of this Plan the date of a Change of Control
with respect to that Eligible Employee shall be deemed to be the date
immediately prior to the Eligible Employee 's Termination Date.

     2.7  "Compensation Committee" means the Compensation Committee of the Board
           ----------------------                                               
as such committee may be constituted from time to time.

     2.8  "Disability" means:
           ----------        

          (a) the term "Disability" as used in the Company's relevant long-term
disability plan applicable to a Participant, if any; and

          (b) in all other cases, the term "Disability" means a physical or
mental infirmity which impairs the Participant's ability to perform
substantially his or her duties for a period of one hundred eighty (180)
consecutive days.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
     2.9  "Effective Date" means February 19, 1998.
           --------------                          

     2.10 "Eligible Employee" means each regular full-time or regular part-time
           -----------------                                                   
employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates.

     2.11 "Good Reason" means the occurrence after a Change of Control of any of
           -----------                                                          
the following events or conditions:

          (a)   for any Participant who is in Employee Classification A as set
forth in Appendix A,

                (i)   a change in the Participant's status, title, position or
responsibilities (including reporting responsibilities) which, in the
Participant's reasonable judgment, represents an adverse change from his or her
status, title, position or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior
thereto;

                (ii)  with respect to either the Participant's annual base
salary or target bonus then in effect under the Company's Annual Incentive Plan
(or successor annual incentive plan), a reduction by ten percent (10%) or more
from the greater of such base salary or target, as the case may be, in effect
(x) as of the date of the Change of Control or (y) on any date following the
Change of Control;

                (iii) the relocation of the Participant's principal place of
work, but only if the "moving expenses" incurred in connection with such
relocation would be deductible under Section 217 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended;

          (b) for any Participant who is in Employee Classification B, C or D as
set forth in Appendix A, the events or conditions described in Sections
2.12(a)(ii) or (iii); and

          (c) for any Participant who is in Employee Classification E as set
forth in Appendix A, (i) the event described in Section 2.12(a)(iii), or (ii)
with respect to the Participant's annual base salary, a reduction by ten percent
(10%) or more from the greater of such base salary in effect (x) as of the date
of the Change of Control or (y) on any date following the Change of Control.

     2.12 "Operating Unit" means any subsidiary, division, or other business
           --------------                                                   
unit of the Company or any of its Affiliates.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
     2.13 "Participant" means an Eligible Employee who meets the eligibility
           -----------                                                      
requirements of Article III.

     2.14 "Plan" means this ARCO Chemical Company Change of Control Plan.
           ----                                                          

     2.15 "Plan Benefit" means the benefit payable in accordance with Article V
           ------------                                                        
of the Plan.

     2.16 "Plan Year" means January 1 through December 31.
           ---------                                      

     2.17 "Salary Separation Payment" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
           -------------------------                                           
5.2(b).

     2.18 "Termination Date" means the date of termination of a Participant's
           ----------------                                                  
employment as set forth in Article VI.

                                  ARTICLE III

                                  ELIGIBILITY
                                  -----------

     3.1  Participation.  For purposes of this Plan each individual who is an
          -------------                                                      
Eligible Employee as of the date of a Change of Control shall automatically be a
Participant under this Plan.

     3.2  Duration of Participation.  Any individual who is a Participant shall
          -------------------------                                            
continue as a Participant until he or she has received the entire amount of the
Plan Benefit, if any, which such individual is entitled to under the Plan.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                           CHANGE OF CONTROL BENEFITS
                           --------------------------

     4.1  1990 ARCO Chemical Company Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "1990 LTIP").
          --------------------------------------------------------------------
Notwithstanding the terms of the 1990 LTIP, the following shall occur under the
1990 LTIP upon the occurrence of a Change of Control:  (a) all outstanding stock
options granted thereunder shall 

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
become immediately and fully vested and exercisable; (b) all dividend share
credits accrued thereunder shall become immediately vested; and (c) all dividend
share credits that would have been earned through the remainder of the term of
the option granted thereunder (as determined in accordance with the formula set
forth in Appendix B) shall be credited no later than the date of the Change of
Control and be immediately vested.

     4.2  1998 ARCO Chemical Company Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "1998 LTIP").
          ---------------------------------------------------------------------
The following shall occur pursuant to the 1998 LTIP upon the occurrence of a
Change of Control:

          (a)  each Participant shall receive a conversion of the Participant's
Contingent Restricted Stock for the next Performance Objective level into
Performance-Based Restricted Stock based on a proration of the Company's
progress to the next Performance Objective level as of the date of the Change of
Control.  Participants will be entitled to receive a conversion of Contingent
Restricted Stock for the next Performance Objective level, based on a
calculation of the percentage of RCM achieved to the effective date of the
Change of Control as compared to the total amount of RCM required to achieve the
next Performance Objective.  The remaining shares of Contingent Restricted
Stock, if any, shall be forfeited;

          (b)  the Performance Supplement will be calculated and applied as of
the effective date of the Change of Control, using the stock price on the
effective date of the Change of Control, assuming a Change of Control occurs
during the basic Performance Period (and not during an extended period as
described in Section 2(a) of Article III of the 1998 LTIP);

          (c)  all Performance-Based Restricted Stock and Stock Options will
become immediately vested;

          (d)  where the Company is not the surviving corporation (or survives
only as a subsidiary of another corporation), unless the Long-Term Incentive
Plan Administration Subcommittee of the Compensation Committee determines
otherwise, all outstanding Stock Options that are not exercised shall be assumed
by, or replaced with comparable options by, the surviving corporation; and

          (e)  no actions shall be taken under the 1998 LTIP that would make the
Change of Control ineligible for pooling of interests accounting treatment if,
in the absence of such actions, the Change of Control would qualify for such
treatment and the Company intends to use such treatment with respect to the
Change of Control.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
          Each capitalized term used in this Section 4.2 that is not a defined
term under this Plan shall have the meaning ascribed to it under the 1998 LTIP.

     4.3  ARCO Chemical Company Value Incentive Plan (the "VIP").
          ------------------------------------------------------ 
Notwithstanding the terms of the VIP, the following shall occur under the VIP
upon the occurrence of a Change of Control:  (a) all outstanding phantom stock
units granted thereunder shall become immediately and fully vested; (b) all
dividend share credits granted thereunder related to outstanding phantom stock
units shall become immediately and fully vested; and (c) all dividend share
credits that would have been earned through the expiration date of the phantom
stock units granted thereunder (as determined in accordance with the formula set
forth in Appendix B) shall be credited no later than the date of the Change of
Control and be immediately vested.

     4.4  Incorporation.  The plans referred to in this Article IV are hereby
          -------------                                                      
amended to incorporate, or upon their adoption will be deemed to incorporate,
the relevant provisions of this Article IV.

                                   ARTICLE V

                                 PLAN BENEFITS
                                 -------------

     5.1  Right to Plan Benefit.
          --------------------- 

          (a) A Participant shall be entitled to receive from the Company a Plan
Benefit in the amount provided in Section 5.2 if (i) a Change of Control has
occurred and (ii) within the two (2) year period commencing on the date of the
Change of Control, the Participant's employment with the Company and its
Affiliates terminates for any reason (including the sale, divestiture or other
disposition of an Operating Unit employing the Participant), other than (A) a
termination by the Company or any of its Affiliates for Cause, (B) a termination
resulting from the Participant's Disability, (C) the Participant's death, or (D)
a termination, voluntary resignation or retirement by the Participant without
Good Reason.

     5.2  Amount of Plan Benefit.  If a Participant's employment is terminated
          ----------------------                                              
under circumstances entitling him or her to a Plan Benefit, such Participant
shall be entitled to the following:

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
          (a) the Company shall pay to the Participant all Accrued Compensation
within thirty (30) days after the Participant's Termination Date;

          (b) the Company shall pay to the Participant, as severance pay and in
lieu of any further salary or bonus for periods subsequent to the Participant's
Termination Date, in a single payment (without any discount for accelerated
payment, but subject to applicable withholding taxes) within thirty (30) days
after the Participant's Termination Date, an amount in cash equal to the amount
determined in accordance with Appendix A (the "Salary Separation Payment");
provided, however, that if a Participant's employment is governed by laws,
- --------  -------                                                         
statutes, or regulations outside of the United States that mandate the payment
of separation benefits, the Participant shall be paid the greater of the Salary
Separation Payment or the statutorily required separation payment. Under no
circumstances shall a Participant be entitled to payment of both the Salary
Separation Payment and a statutorily required separation payment;

          (c) the Company shall pay to a Participant who participates in the
ARCO Chemical Company Annual Incentive Plan (the "AIP") an amount in cash equal
to his or her bonus award as determined by the Compensation Committee under the
AIP for the Plan Year in which the Change of Control occurs, pro rated for the
number of full months of plan participation during such Plan Year; and

          (d) for the period commencing on the Participant's Termination Date
and continuing for the Participant's Salary Separation Payment Period (as
determined in accordance with Appendix A) (the "Continuation Period"), the
Company shall continue on behalf of the Participant and his or her dependents
and beneficiaries (i) medical and dental benefits, (ii) long-term disability
coverage and (iii) life insurance and other death benefits coverage.  The
coverages and benefits (including deductibles, if any) provided under this
Section 5.2(d) during the Continuation Period shall be no less favorable to the
Participant and his or her dependents and beneficiaries than the most favorable
of such coverages and benefits provided the Participant and his or her
dependents and beneficiaries immediately preceding the Change of Control.  Any
period during which benefits are continued pursuant to this Section 5.2(d) shall
be considered to be in satisfaction of the Company's obligation to provide
"continuation coverage" pursuant to Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended, and the period of coverage required under said Section
4980B shall be reduced by the period during which benefits were provided
pursuant to this Section 5.2(d).

     5.3  Mitigation.  The Participant shall not be required to mitigate the
          ----------                                                        

                                      10
<PAGE>
 
amount of any payment or benefit provided for in this Plan by seeking other
employment or otherwise and no such payment or benefit shall be offset or
reduced by the amount of any compensation or benefits provided to the
Participant in any subsequent employment.

     5.4  Other Benefits; Non-Exclusivity of Rights.  Nothing in this Plan shall
          -----------------------------------------                             
prevent or limit the Participant's continuing or future participation in any
benefit, bonus, incentive or other plan or program provided by the Company or
any of its Affiliates and for which the Participant may qualify, nor shall
anything herein limit or reduce such rights as any Participant may have under
any other agreements with the Company or any of its Affiliates.  Nothing herein
shall be deemed to limit, supersede or restrict any rights that any Participant
may have to accelerated vesting of any right or benefit under change of control
provisions of any plan, program, agreement or otherwise.

     5.5  Incorporation.  Each employee benefit plan pursuant to which a Plan
          -------------                                                      
Benefit shall be provided to a Participant pursuant to this Article V is hereby
amended to incorporate, or upon its adoption will be deemed to incorporate, the
relevant provisions of this Article V.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                             EXCISE TAX PROVISIONS
                             ---------------------

     6.1 Excise Tax Limitation.  This Section 6.1 shall apply only to
         ---------------------                                       
Participants with an Employee Classification of B, C, D or E as set forth in
Appendix A.

         (a) In the event it shall be determined that any payment or
distribution of any type to or for the benefit of a Participant, by the Company,
any of its Affiliates, any Person (as defined in Section 2.6(a)) who acquires
ownership or effective control of the Company or ownership of a substantial
portion of the Company's assets (within the meaning of Section 280G of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder (the
"Code")) or any Affiliate of such Person, whether paid or payable or distributed
or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Plan or otherwise (the
"Payments"), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the
Code or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise
tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are collectively referred to
as the "Excise Tax"), then the Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) if
and to the extent that a 

                                      11
<PAGE>
 
reduction in the Payments would result in the Participant retaining a larger
amount, on an after-tax basis (taking into account federal, state and local
income taxes and the Excise Tax), than if the Participant received the entire
amount of such Payments. Unless the Participant shall have given prior written
notice specifying a different order to the Company to effectuate the foregoing,
the Company shall reduce or eliminate the Payments, by first reducing or
eliminating the portion of the Payments which are not payable in cash and then
by reducing or eliminating cash payments, in each case in reverse order
beginning with payments or benefits which are to be paid or provided latest in
time. Any notice given by the Participant pursuant to the preceding sentence
shall take precedence over the provisions of any other plan, arrangement or
agreement governing the Participant's rights and entitlements to any benefits or
compensation.

              (b) The determination of whether the Payments shall be reduced
pursuant to Section 6.1(a) and the amount of such reduction shall be made, at
the Company's expense, by an independent accounting firm selected by the Company
and reasonably acceptable to the Participant  which is one of the four largest
accounting firms in the United States (the "Accounting Firm").  The Accounting
Firm shall provide its determination, together with detailed supporting
calculations and documentation to the Company and the Participant within ten
(10) days of the date of the Change of Control or Termination Date, as the case
may be.  If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the
Participant with respect to the Payments, it or the Company shall furnish the
Participant with an opinion that no Excise Tax will be imposed with respect to
any such Payments.

         6.2  Excise Tax Gross-Up.  This Section 6.2 shall apply only to
              -------------------                                       
Participants with an Employee Classification of A as set forth in Appendix A.

              (a) In the event it shall be determined that any Payments (as
defined in Section 6.1(a)), other than the payment provided for in this Section
6.2(a), would be subject to the Excise Tax (as defined in Section 6.1(a)), then
the Participant shall be entitled to receive from the Company an additional
payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by the
Participant of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with
respect to such taxes), including any Excise Tax, imposed upon the Gross-Up
Payment, the Participant retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the
Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.

                                      12
<PAGE>
 
          (b) All determinations as to whether any of the Payments are
"parachute payments" (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code), including
whether a Gross-Up Payment is required, the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and
amounts relevant to the last sentence of this Subsection 6.2(b), shall be made
by the Accounting Firm (as defined in Section 6.1(b)), which shall provide its
determination (the "Determination"), together with detailed supporting
calculations regarding the amount of any Gross-Up Payment and any other relevant
matter, both to the Company and the Participant within ten (10) days of the date
of the Change of Control or Termination Date, as the case may be, or such
earlier time as is requested by the Company or the Participant (if the
Participant reasonably believes that any of the Payments may be subject to the
Excise Tax).  If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by
the Participant, it shall furnish the Participant with a written statement that
such Accounting Firm has concluded that no Excise Tax is payable (including the
reasons therefor) and that he or she has substantial authority not to report any
Excise Tax on his or her federal income tax return.  If a Gross-Up Payment is
determined to be payable, it shall be paid to the Participant within five (5)
days after the Determination is delivered to the Company or the Participant.
Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and
the Participant, absent manifest error.  As a result of uncertainty in the
application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination
by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments not made
by the Company should have been made ("Underpayment"), or that Gross-Up Payments
will have been made by the Company which should not have been made
("Overpayments").  In either such event, the Accounting Firm shall determine the
amount of the Underpayment or Overpayment that has occurred.  In the case of an
Underpayment, the amount of such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the
Company to or for the benefit of the Participant.  In the case of an
Overpayment, the Participant shall, at the direction and expense of the Company,
take such steps as are reasonably necessary (including the filing of returns and
claims for refund), follow reasonable instructions from, and procedures
established by, the Company, and otherwise reasonably cooperate with the Company
to correct such Overpayment; provided, however, that (i) the Participant shall
                             --------  -------                                
not in any event be obligated to return to the Company an amount greater than
the net after-tax portion of the Overpayment that he has retained or has
recovered as a refund from the applicable taxing authorities and (ii) this
provision shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the intent of
Subsection 6.2(a), which is to make the Participant whole, on an after-tax
basis, from the application of the Excise Tax, it being understood that the
correction of an Overpayment may result in the Participant repaying to the
Company an amount which is less than the Overpayment.

                                      13
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE VII

                                SUCCESSORS TO COMPANY
                                ---------------------

     7.1  Successors.
          ---------- 

          (a) This Plan shall be binding upon the Company, its successors and
assigns and the Company shall require any successor or assign to expressly
assume and agree to perform this Plan in the same manner and to the same extent
that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession or
assignment had taken place.  The term "Company" as used herein shall include
such successors and assigns.  The term "successors and assigns" as used herein
shall mean a corporation or other entity acquiring all or substantially all the
assets and business of the Company whether by operation of law or otherwise.

          (b) Neither this Plan nor any right or interest hereunder shall be
assignable or transferable by a Participant or his or her beneficiaries or legal
representatives, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
This Plan shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by a Participant's
legal personal representative.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                    DURATION, AMENDMENT AND PLAN TERMINATION
                    ----------------------------------------

     8.1  Duration.  This Plan shall continue in effect until terminated in
          --------                                                         
accordance with Section 8.2.

     8.2  Amendment and Termination.  Prior to a Change of Control, the Plan may
          -------------------------                                             
be amended or modified in any respect, and may be terminated, by resolution
adopted by the Board.  From and after the occurrence of a Change of Control, the
Plan (i) may not be amended or modified in any manner that would in any way
adversely affect the benefits or protections provided to any individual
hereunder and (ii) may not be terminated until the later of (a) the third
anniversary of the Change of Control or (b) the date that all Participants who
have become entitled to Plan Benefits hereunder shall have received such
payments in full.

                                      14
<PAGE>
 
     8.3  Form of Amendment.  Any amendment or termination of the Plan shall be
          -----------------                                                    
effected by a written instrument signed by a duly authorized officer or officers
of the Company, certifying that the amendment or termination has been approved
by the Board.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                 MISCELLANEOUS
                                 -------------

     9.1  Administration.  This Plan shall be administered by the Compensation
          --------------                                                      
Committee.

     9.2  Employment Status.  This Plan does not constitute a contract of
          -----------------                                              
employment or impose on the Company any obligation to retain any Participant as
an employee or to change any employment policies of the Company.

     9.3  Validity and Severability.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
          -------------------------                                            
provision of the Plan shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any
other provision of the Plan, which shall remain in full force and effect, and
any prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or
render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

     9.4  Settlement of Claims.  The Company's obligation to make the payments
          --------------------                                                
provided for in this Plan and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder
shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without limitation, any
set-off, counterclaim, defense, recoupment, or other right which the Company may
have against a Participant or others.

     9.5  Governing Law.  The validity, interpretation, construction and
          -------------                                                 
performance of the Plan shall in all respects be governed by the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without giving effect to the conflict of law
principles thereof.

                                      15
<PAGE>
 
                                   APPENDIX A
                                   ----------

                Employee
                ----------
             Classification                     Members
             --------------                     -------

                   A                      CEO and Direct Reports

                   B                      C3 and C4 Executives

                   C                      C5 Executives

                   D                      Key Managers (Grades A, B, C)

                   E                      Grade D and below

                   A Participant's Employee Classification shall be determined
as set forth in the official records of the Company, and shall be based on his
or her status as of the date immediately preceding the Participant's termination
date, or, if it would entitle the Participant to a greater Salary Separation
Payment or longer Salary Separation Period, as of the date immediately preceding
the date on which the Change of Control occurs.

Salary Separation Payment
- -------------------------

            The Salary Separation Payment to which a Participant is entitled
shall be based on the Participant's Employee Classification as of the date
immediately preceding the Participant's Termination Date, or, if it would
entitle the Participant to a greater Salary Separation Payment, immediately
preceding the date on which the Change of Control occurs, and shall equal the
amount described in the table below. 

                                      16
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

    Employee
 Classification                      Salary Separation Payment
 --------------                      -------------------------
<S>                 <C>
      A             Three times the sum of the Participant's (a) Base Salary plus (b) Bonus Amount.
      B             Two times the sum of the Participant's (a) Base Salary plus (b) Bonus Amount.
      C             One and one-half times the sum of the Participant's (a) Base Salary plus (b) Bonus
                    Amount.
      D             One times the sum of the Participant's (a) Base Salary plus (b) Bonus Amount.
      E             Subject to a minimum of twelve weeks pay (one weeks pay to equal, as the case
                    may be, one fifty-second of the Participant's annual base salary or forty times the
                    Participant's hourly rate) and a maximum of fifty-two weeks pay, two weeks pay
                    per year of service prorated for completed months of service.
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Employee                            Salary Separation
 Classification                          Payment Period
- ---------------                         ----------------- 
<S>                                    <C>
     A                                     36 months
     B                                     24 months
     C                                     18 months
     D                                     12 months
     E                 The number of weeks in respect of which the amount of the
                       Salary Separation Payment is determined.
</TABLE> 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
                                   APPENDIX B
                                   ----------

            1990 LTIP.  For purposes of Section 4.1(c) of the Plan, the number
            ---------                                                         
of dividend share credits to be issued under the 1990 LTIP shall be determined
by compounding the number of dividend share credits issuable through the
remainder of the term of the option granted thereunder based on the latest
dividend declared by the Company prior to the date of the Change of Control and
the fair market value of the Company's common stock as of the dividend record
date of the quarterly dividend immediately preceding the Change of Control.
 
          Value Incentive Plan.  For purposes of Section 4.3(c) of the Plan, the
          --------------------                                                  
number of dividend share credits to be issued under the VIP shall be determined
by compounding the number of dividend share credits issuable through the
expiration date of the phantom stock units granted thereunder based on the
latest dividend declared by the Company prior to the date of the Change of
Control and the fair market value of the Company's common stock as of the
dividend record date of the quarterly dividend immediately preceding the Change
of Control.

EXAMPLE:  Assume Change of Control occurs five years after grant, with five
- --------                                                                   
years, or twenty quarterly dividends, remaining to expiration.  Assume further a
$.70 per share per quarter dividend rate and a $50.00 stock price as of the
dividend record date of the quarterly dividend immediately preceding the Change
of Control. Assume further that Employee A's account balance at Change of
Control is 5000 options originally granted at $42.00 per share with 1000 accrued
DSC units.  DSCs will be projected as if earned to expiration of the grant based
upon the dividend rate and stock price in effect on the record date of the
quarterly dividend immediately preceding the Change of Control.  The computation
of projected DSC units is as follows:

PROJECTED DSC UNITS:

1000 DSC units (multiplied by) $.70 = $700.00 (divided by) $50.00 per share = 14
DSC units (14 + 1000 = 1014 DSC units upon first quarter projection)

(1014 DSC units (multiplied by) $.70 = $709.80 (divided by) $50.00 per share =
14.196 DSC units (14.196 + 1014 = 1028.196 DSC units upon second quarter
projection)

Repeat the above analysis for 18 additional quarterly payments to expiration.

                                      18

<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT 12
                                 -------------



              ARCO CHEMICAL COMPANY AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

             COMPUTATION OF THE RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                              (MILLION OF DOLLARS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  Three Months
                                                  Years Ended December 31,       Ended March 31,
                                            -----------------------------------  ---------------
                                              1993    1994   1995   1996   1997       1998
                                              -----   ----   ----   ----   ----       ----
<S>                                         <C>      <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>        <C>
Pretax income from continuing operations     $ 311   $ 416  $ 756  $ 487  $ 168      $ 135
Add:                                                                              
   Interest expense.......................     105      85     89     86     80         18
   Rental expense factor..................      20      22     25     27     27          6
                                             -----   -----  -----  -----  -----      -----
Earnings available for fixed charges......   $ 436   $ 523  $ 870  $ 600  $ 275      $ 159
                                             =====   =====  =====  =====  =====      =====
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
Interest expense..........................   $ 105   $  85  $  89  $  86  $  80      $  18
Add capitalized interest..................       -       3      1      3      9          2
Rental expense factor.....................      20      22     25     27     27          6
                                             -----   -----  -----  -----  -----      -----
Fixed charges.............................   $ 125   $ 110  $ 115  $ 116  $ 116      $  26
                                             =====   =====  =====  =====  =====      =====
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges........     3.5     4.8    7.6    5.2    2.4        6.1
                                             =====   =====  =====  =====  =====      =====
</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                              39
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      614
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        467
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,149
<PP&E>                                           4,124
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,629
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,069
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              731
<BONDS>                                            773
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           100
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,702
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,069
<SALES>                                            934
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   934
<CGS>                                              720
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      720
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  18
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    135
<INCOME-TAX>                                        43
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 92
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        92
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.95
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.95
        

</TABLE>


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