Method and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons

A method for producing hydrocarbons by oxidative coupling of methane comprising:

• contacting a methane-rich feed stream and an oxygen-rich feed stream in a reaction unit configured for oxidative coupling of methane to produce a product stream comprising hydrocarbons and unreacted methane;
• cryogenically separating the product stream in at least one separation unit using at least one liquid, methane-rich stream to form a recycle stream comprising unreacted methane and at least a portion of methane contained in the at least one liquid, methane-rich stream;
• and
• feeding the recycle stream to the reaction unit, wherein the methane-rich feed stream consists of the recycle stream and the methane-rich feed stream is the only methane feed to the reaction unit;
• wherein the at least one liquid, methane-rich stream is produced using a pressurised, methane-containing gas mixture that is provided separately from the product stream and wherein the liquid, methane-rich stream is used in an amount that is greater than or equal to the amount of methane which is converted in the reaction unit and which is lost by separation losses.