Abstract: A process is described for removing heavies and lights from a hydrocarbon-rich feed fraction. A heavies-rich liquid is rectificatorily removed (1st removal stage) from a partially condensed feed fraction. Heavies-depleted gas is partially condensed and rectificatorily separated into a methane-rich liquid fraction and a lights-rich gas fraction (2nd removal stage). The 1st removal stage is operated at a pressure of at least 25 bar. The heavies-depleted gas fraction does not undergo pressure elevation before being fed into the 2nd removal stage. Reflux for the 2nd removal stage is produced via an open loop refrigeration cycle. Refrigerant circulating in the open loop refrigeration cycle is vaporized to two different temperature levels against the reflux streams in a head condenser and a side condenser of the 2nd removal stage. The pressure of refrigerant vaporized in the side condenser is at least three times the pressure of refrigerant vaporized in the head condenser.