Although Col. Edwin L. Drake is widely credited with drilling the first oil well in Titusville, Pennsylvania in 1859, growing evidence suggests that the roots of the petroleum industry may reach further back—into western Virginia (now West Virginia). Join Dr. Robert Chase, PE, for an engaging look at the early history of the oil and gas industry across West Virginia and Ohio, tracing its development from the mid-1800s through the early 1900s.

Dr. Robert W. Chase holds B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from Penn State. He is retired professor and chair of Petroleum Engineering and Geology at Marietta College, where he began in 1978 after teaching at West Virginia University and working in industry roles with Halliburton, Gulf Research, and the U.S. Department of Energy. A consultant to leading energy companies, he has published widely on natural gas engineering and well testing.

Dr. Chase has held leadership positions with the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Association of Heads of U.S. Petroleum Engineering Schools, and ABET’s Engineering Accreditation Commission. He has also represented Marietta College to the NCAA and Ohio Athletic Conference since 1992, served as OAC president, and in 2008 was appointed by Governor Ted Strickland to the Ohio Oil and Gas Commission.

Reservations are required. Space is limited (40 seats).
This program is donation-based.