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 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 controlling a flow of the gas stream to the first compressor section and the second compressor section . <EOS>