Method and apparatus for controlling one or more first compressors (12), through which a compressor feed stream (10) is passed. At least one throttling valve (32) is provided downstream of a compressor recycle line (22), which is provided around the or each first compressor (12) and includes an in-line first recycle valve (24). Sometimes, at least a fraction of the compressor feed stream (10) is selectively allowed to bypass the or each first compressor (12) and the at least one throttling valve, via a bypass line (60). At least one of the throttling valves (32) is automatically controlled using the measurement values of at least one pressure and at least one flow of the group consisting of: the pressure (P1) of the compressor feed stream (10), the flow (F1) of the compressor feed stream (10), the pressure (P2) of the first compressed stream (20) and the flow (F2) of the first compressed stream (20). A first compressor controlled this way may be used in a method of cooling an initial hydrocarbon stream (100).