Dennis O’Rear

Dennis has 40 years of experience working in research for the petroleum industry, 38 with Chevron. He earned a BS in ChE in 1972 from Penn State and a PhD in ChE from Stanford working with Prof. Michel Boudart. At Chevron he led the New Material Synthesis group for 20 years and initiated programs that led to commercial processes which replaced hydrofluoric acid in the manufacture of alkylate gasoline and lubricant oil. He also initiated a program that led to commercial use of SSZ-13 for diesel exhaust control. He then worked in Chevron’s Intellectual Property Group where he led the effort to deploy an IP management policy throughout the company. In this role he also worked with the SASOL Chevron GJV to secure freedom to operate in GTL and was a testifying expert witness in several European patent oppositions—all which were successful. He is the inventor of over 130 granted US patents. He retired in 2015 and consults in catalysis and managing mercury in petroleum operations.