TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Conditions: The desired temperature of the natural gas ranges from 350 degrees C to 380 degrees C. The desired inlet compressor temperature ranges from 20 degrees C to 60 degrees C. Preferred Process: The method further involves cooling the recycled natural gas. Cooling involves passing the recycled natural gas through a heat exchanger. The recycled natural gas is cooled to the desired inlet compressor temperature. The method does not comprise a natural gas flare step; or the method does not comprise a partial oxidation step. The recycled natural gas passes through a hydrodesulfurization section. The natural gas is recycled from a point after the exit from a hydrodesulfurization section. It is recycled from a point after the exit from the sulfur absorber. The method involves substantially no natural gas entering the natural gas saturator until it reaches the desired temperature. The method does not comprise recycling a slip stream of natural gas. It involves recirculating all of the natural gas. The recycled natural gas is recycled back to a suction drum; the recycled gas is recycled back to a point upstream of the natural gas booster; the recycled natural gas is recycled back to a point before entry into the natural gas saturator; or the recycled natural gas heats a hydrodesulfurization section to activate a hydrodesulfurization catalyst. The method involves directing no natural gas to a flare. It further involves determining if the natural gas has been heated to the desired temperature by measuring a temperature of the natural gas after it passes through a steam reformer and before the natural gas is recycled. It also involves, after the natural gas has reached the desired temperature, directing the natural gas to the natural gas saturator to form saturated natural gas. It further involves forming syngas from the saturated natural gas, and forming methanol from the syngas. Preferred Components: The recycled natural gas consists essentially of natural gas; or the recycled natural gas consists of natural gas. It comprises methane, ethane, ethylene, or hydrogen or its combination. It does not comprise carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide, or its combination. EXAMPLE - No suitable example given.