Propane recovery process (10) comprises: a) locating a separator (34) downstream from expander (30); b) separating liquid-gas stream (32) with separator into upper gas stream (36) and lower liquid stream (38); c) removing liquid stream from downstream separator; d) returning liquid stream from separator and injecting it into upper region of upstream absorber (14), liquid stream passed downwards in absorber for absorbing propane and heavier hydrocarbon compounds in absorber from natural gas stream delivered to absorber and passed upward; e) removing upper gas stream from the downstream separator for compression into a residue gas; f) delivering bottom liquid stream (38) from absorber to distilling means (24) located downstream from the separator for generating a bottom propane rich liquid stream (50) and an upper methane and ethane gas stream (22); g) removing bottom propane rich liquid product stream from distilling means.    Also claimed is an apparatus in a propane recovery system.    Also claimed is a recovery process involving apparatus with first and second liquid-gas absorber.    Preferably process includes cross-exchanging the liquid stream from the separator with the upper methane and ethane gas stream removed from distilling means in a heat exchanger prior to returning the liquid stream to the absorber. Process further includes cross-exchanging the methane and ethane rich gas stream from the separator with natural gas stream prior to delivery of natural gas stream to the absorber. Process also includes combining upper methane and ethane gas stream from distilling means with separate methane-rich gas stream from absorber and injecting the combined streams into separator for subsequent separation into liquid stream and methane and ethane rich gas stream.    USE -   Recovering propane, butane and heavier hydrocarbon components from natural gas which generates a gas stream consisting of methane and ethane.    ADVANTAGE -   The invention removes freezable hydrocarbon components from natural gas prior to liquefaction to facilitate its transportation.