Cesar Ovalles

Cesar Ovalles graduated with a Licentiate degree in Chemistry from Simón Bolívar University, Caracas, Venezuela, and a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. He worked for 16 years at PDVSA-INTEVEP (R&D Branch of the Venezuelan Oil Industry). In 2006, Cesar joined Chevron and has been involved in R&D in petroleum chemistry, new enhanced oil recovery, upgrading processes for heavy crude oils and resids, asphaltene characterization, and mechanism of action of additives to prevent asphaltene precipitation and fouling. In 2020, he originated and led the R&D Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Program of the Chevron Technical Center in Richmond, California, until his retirement in May 2024. Dr. Ovalles has published 74 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals, 98 technical reports, and five technical books, has been awarded 25 patents, and has presented 139 papers at scientific and technical conferences.