Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for compressing a cryogenic fluid using a multi-stage compressor. Coolant in a first coolant loop cools cooling jackets of the compression stages and/or inter-stage heat exchangers and warms a pre-compression heat exchanger. The temperature of the coolant in the first heat exchanger is moderated by ambient-air heat exchange. The process fluid is electively cooled by one of the inter-stage heat exchangers after each of the compression stage if the temperature of the process fluid is above a temperature criterion. This enables the system to operate through a transient period (cool down period) without venting process fluid. The inter-stage heat exchangers are preferably bypassed when the system reaches steady-state operating temperature.