Flare and relief system engineering is one of the most critical components of safety design within oil and gas operations. It requires precision, advanced analytical skills, and a deep understanding of industry standards. Tesia Dobrydnia, a Chemical Engineer at Chevron since 2007, has built her reputation as an expert in this specialized field. Her career journey showcases a powerful combination of technical expertise, long-term dedication, and personal passion.
Tesia’s pathway into engineering began with her studies at Oregon State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. Her academic experience provided a solid foundation in chemistry, physics, thermodynamics, and process principles—knowledge that would later support her real-world engineering applications.
Shortly after graduating in 2007, Tesia joined Chevron, beginning what would become a multi-decade career. Her early positions included roles in process design, process safety management, and project support, giving her exposure to a wide range of industrial systems and operational environments. These early experiences allowed her to build a strong technical base from which her specialized expertise would later grow.
As she advanced in her career, Tesia gravitated toward the highly technical field of relief system and flare design. This discipline requires:
Her ability to interpret complex system behaviors and apply them to real-world industrial scenarios has made her a trusted engineer in this niche.
Over the past seven years, Tesia Dobrydnia has committed her career to mastering relief design principles. Her work supports critical decisions that influence equipment reliability, facility safety, and regulatory compliance. By analyzing how systems respond under stress, she helps prevent overpressure events and guides safe facility operation.
Her expertise is not only technical—it also involves clear communication with teams, translating detailed engineering findings into actionable steps for operations and maintenance groups.
Throughout her time at Chevron, Tesia has progressed through several engineering roles:
These positions allowed her to support offshore assets, upstream production, and complex refinery operations. Working across states such as Alaska, California, and Louisiana, as well as international assignments, broadened her experience and sharpened her understanding of how different facilities manage pressure, safety, and operations.
Although her professional life is highly technical, Tesia maintains a strong connection to the outdoors. She enjoys hiking, backpacking, and snowboarding—activities that challenge and inspire her. At home, she takes on creative improvement projects and spends time reading or enjoying movies and television.