A method of producing liquefied natural gas from a natural gas stream, the method comprising: removing heavy hydrocarbons from the natural gas stream (201,601,701) to thereby generate a separated natural gas stream (203,603,703); partially condensing the separated natural gas stream in a first heat exchanger to thereby generate a partially condensed natural gas stream (206,606,706); separating liquids from the partially condensed natural gas stream to thereby generate a pretreated natural gas stream (208,608,708); compressing the pretreated natural gas stream in at least two serially arranged compressors to a pressure of at least 1,500 psia (103,4214 bar) to form a compressed natural gas stream (218,621,718); cooling the compressed natural gas stream to form a cooled compressed natural gas stream (220,623,720); expanding, in at least one work producing natural gas expander, the cooled compressed natural gas stream to a pressure that is less than 2,000 psia (137,8951 bar) and no greater than the pressure to which the at least two serially arranged compressors compress the pretreated natural gas stream, to thereby form a chilled natural gas stream (222,625,722); separating the chilled natural gas stream into a refrigerant stream (226,628,726) and a non-refrigerant stream (225,627,725); warming the refrigerant stream through heat exchange with one or more process streams comprising the natural gas stream, the separated natural gas stream, the partially condensed natural gas stream, and the pretreated natural gas stream, thereby generating a warmed refrigerant stream (226,628,726); and liquefying the warmed refrigerant stream and the non-refrigerant stream (230,629,774). removing heavy hydrocarbons from the natural gas stream (201,601,701) to thereby generate a separated natural gas stream (203,603,703); partially condensing the separated natural gas stream in a first heat exchanger to thereby generate a partially condensed natural gas stream (206,606,706); separating liquids from the partially condensed natural gas stream to thereby generate a pretreated natural gas stream (208,608,708); compressing the pretreated natural gas stream in at least two serially arranged compressors to a pressure of at least 1,500 psia (103,4214 bar) to form a compressed natural gas stream (218,621,718); cooling the compressed natural gas stream to form a cooled compressed natural gas stream (220,623,720); expanding, in at least one work producing natural gas expander, the cooled compressed natural gas stream to a pressure that is less than 2,000 psia (137,8951 bar) and no greater than the pressure to which the at least two serially arranged compressors compress the pretreated natural gas stream, to thereby form a chilled natural gas stream (222,625,722); separating the chilled natural gas stream into a refrigerant stream (226,628,726) and a non-refrigerant stream (225,627,725); warming the refrigerant stream through heat exchange with one or more process streams comprising the natural gas stream, the separated natural gas stream, the partially condensed natural gas stream, and the pretreated natural gas stream, thereby generating a warmed refrigerant stream (226,628,726); and liquefying the warmed refrigerant stream and the non-refrigerant stream (230,629,774).