<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001084991-17-000024.txt : 20170327
<SEC-HEADER>0001084991-17-000024.hdr.sgml : 20170327
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20170327165526
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001084991-17-000024
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20170323
FILED AS OF DATE:		20170327
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20170327

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NATURAL GAS SERVICES GROUP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001084991
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	OIL, GAS FIELD SERVICES, NBC [1389]
		IRS NUMBER:				752811855
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		508 WEST WALL STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 550
		CITY:			MIDLAND
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			79701
		BUSINESS PHONE:		432-262-2700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		508 WEST WALL STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 550
		CITY:			MIDLAND
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			79701

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CURTIS CHARLES G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001196423

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31398
		FILM NUMBER:		17715919
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2017-03-23</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001084991</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NATURAL GAS SERVICES GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ngs</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001196423</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CURTIS CHARLES G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2017-03-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3992</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>25.05</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>71013</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonqualified Stock Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>19.61</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2007-12-31</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2017-12-31</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonqualified Stock Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>20.48</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-03-31</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-03-31</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonqualified Stock Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>16.74</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2010-03-31</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2020-03-31</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The acquisition of the 3,992 shares of common stock reflects an award of restricted stock pursuant to the Company's 2009 Restricted Stock/Unit Plan, as amended, and Independent Director Compensation Policy.  The award vests in installments of 998 shares beginning on March 31, 2018, with additional 998 installments vesting on June 30, September 30 and December 31, 2018, although the award is also subject to accelerated vesting upon the death, disability or retirement of the recipient, or upon a change in control of the Company.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Charles G. Curtis</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-03-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
