A control method and apparatus for simultaneously protecting a compression system from driver overpowering and turbocompressor surge. When overpowering is detected, flow rate through the each compressor in the turbocompressor train is reduced by closing an inlet throttling valve at the inlet of each respective compressor stage unless a compressor operating point is sufficiently near surge. In this latter case, the inlet throttling valve is not closed. In this way, overall flow rate through the compressor train is reduced while maintaining adequate flow through compromised stages to avoid surge.