Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes cooling a fluid along a fluid path using a vapor compression refrigeration cycle; cooling the fluid along the fluid path using at least one cryocooler of a cryogenic cooling phase; expanding the fluid during cooling within the cryogenic cooling phase, after cooling in the cryogenic cooling phase, or a combination thereof, such that a temperature and pressure of the fluid are reduced to generate a fluid stream having both a vapor phase and a liquid phase; and condensing the vapor phase. The fluid may be a natural gas.