Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing process fluids in a working chamber having a male and a female rotor, each supported by shafts in a first and a second bearing chamber maintained at low and high pressures at least equal to 90% of the low and high pressures in the working chamber, respectively. The compressor has a first pressurized lubrication reservoir connected to the first bearing chamber and a second pressurized lubrication reservoir connected to the second bearing chamber. The fluids in the working chamber, which may be corrosive, are kept out of the fluids in the bearing and gear chambers by labyrinth seals on the rotor shafts, the seals having grooves in communication with a pressurized buffer gas system. Leakage of buffer gas from the seals enters the bearing chambers and reservoirs, and is released from them at flow rates to control the bearing chamber pressures.