A multi-stage compressor, comprising: a first compressor section; and a second compressor section; an inlet receiving a stream of gas containing an ethane gas; a second line or conduit fluidically connected to the inlet, the second line or conduit extending from the inlet to the first compression section of the multi-stage compressor; the second line or conduit extending from the first compressor section of the multi-stage compressor to an outlet; a first line or conduit fluidically connected to the inlet, the first line or conduit extending from the inlet to the second compression section of the multi-stage compressor, the first line or conduit extending from the second compression section of the multi-stage compressor to the outlet; a first valve controlling a flow of the stream of gas to the second compression section of the multi-stage compressor; a second valve controlling a flow of the stream of gas between the first line or conduit and the second line or conduit; a third valve controlling a flow of the stream of gas between the first compression section and the outlet; characterized in that a third line or conduit connects the first line or conduit and the second line or conduit, the third line or conduit being located downstream of the first compression section and the first valve, and upstream of the second compression section and the third valve, the second valve being positioned along the third line or conduit; wherein a first operating mode for a gas processing system is switched to a second operating mode by opening and closing one or more of the valves (21, 22, 23) controlling a flow of the gas stream to the first compressor section and the second compressor section. a first compressor section; and a second compressor section; an inlet receiving a stream of gas containing an ethane gas; a second line or conduit fluidically connected to the inlet, the second line or conduit extending from the inlet to the first compression section of the multi-stage compressor; the second line or conduit extending from the first compressor section of the multi-stage compressor to an outlet; a first line or conduit fluidically connected to the inlet, the first line or conduit extending from the inlet to the second compression section of the multi-stage compressor, the first line or conduit extending from the second compression section of the multi-stage compressor to the outlet; a first valve controlling a flow of the stream of gas to the second compression section of the multi-stage compressor; a second valve controlling a flow of the stream of gas between the first line or conduit and the second line or conduit; a third valve controlling a flow of the stream of gas between the first compression section and the outlet; characterized in that a third line or conduit connects the first line or conduit and the second line or conduit, the third line or conduit being located downstream of the first compression section and the first valve, and upstream of the second compression section and the third valve, the second valve being positioned along the third line or conduit; wherein a first operating mode for a gas processing system is switched to a second operating mode by opening and closing one or more of the valves (21, 22, 23) controlling a flow of the gas stream to the first compressor section and the second compressor section.