UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):   May 17, 2016

Buckeye Partners, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (832) 615-8600

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

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

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

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

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

Item 8.01                                           Other Events.

Buckeye Partners, L.P. (“Buckeye”) deeply regrets to report the death of Donald W. Niemiec, a director of Buckeye’s general partner, Buckeye GP LLC (“Buckeye GP”).  Mr. Niemiec, who passed away unexpectedly on May 17, 2016, served as a director of the Board of Directors of Buckeye GP since 2014 and was also a member of the Board’s Audit and Health, Safety, Security and Environmental Committees. Mr. Niemiec will be greatly missed by Buckeye.

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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 hereunto duly authorized.

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