Method and apparatus for producing a liquefied natural gas stream

Method and apparatus producing a LNG stream, wherein before liquefaction heavier hydrocarbon components are removed from a NG stream to be liquefied, the method at least comprising the steps of: providing a vaporous feed stream ( 1 ) of natural gas; feeding the feed stream ( 1 ) into a distillation column ( 10 ); drawing a bottom stream ( 17 ) and an overhead stream ( 16 ) from the distillation column ( 10 ); and liquefying at least a part of the overhead stream ( 16 ) thereby obtaining a LNG stream; wherein the step of feeding the feed stream ( 1 ) into the distillation column ( 10 ) comprises the sub steps of: splitting the feed stream ( 1 ) into first ( 3 a) and second ( 3 b) substreams; feeding the first substream ( 3 a) into the distillation column ( 10 ) via a first feed point ( 7 a), at a pressure not lower than the feed stream pressure minus a pressure drop brought about by the said splitting of the feed stream ( 1 ); cooling the second substream ( 3 b); and feeding the cooled second substream ( 7 ) into the distillation column ( 10 ) at a second feed point ( 7 b) overhead of the first feed point ( 7 a).