Four processes for small-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) production are eva luated. These include a single-stage mixed
refrigerant (SMR), a two-stage expander nitrogen refrigerant and two open-loop expander processes. Steady-state
simulations were undertaken to ensure that each process was compared on an identical basis, was fully optimised and was
in agreement with published results. Composite curves for the feed and recycle streams and the refrigerant or cold recycle
stream showed the degree of optimisation available within each process. The full exergy analysis showed the relative
contributions to the total shaft work requirements, with the lowest being the SMR process. The lower efficiency of the
expander-driven compressors is the main difference between processes. A more general comparison suggested that the
nitrogen refrigerant process and the New LNG open-loop process are the leading candidates for offshore compact LNG
production.