Williams Partners LP announced its expanded Geismar olefins plant is expected to begin manufacturing ethylene for sale in February. The plant experienced an unexpected delay in the final stages of commissioning.

The plant was taken down from its final ramp-up procedure when a brazed aluminum heat exchanger became plugged and required cleaning and maintenance. The plant will be turned back over to operations on Feb. 3 to resume start-up.

Capacity at the plant is 1.95 billion pounds of ethylene per year. Williams Partners’ share of the total capacity of the expanded plant is about 1.7 billion pounds per year. The Williams Cos. Inc. owns a controlling interest in and is the general partner of Williams Partners. Williams Partners plans to give an additional update on plant’s operations on or before a scheduled Feb. 19 investor conference call.