A compression stage for the compression of cracked gas, the compression stage comprising a liquid separating means for separating liquid components from gaseous components of a cracked gas, a compressor connected to the liquid separating means, a gas cooling means connected to the compressor for cooling the compressed gas from the compressor, wherein the gas cooling means are cooled by a first cooling fluid from the cooling fluid source. The stage further comprises gas precooling means connected to the liquid separating means cracked gas, having an inlet for receiving the cracked gas.