A process for the complete deoxygenation of an oxygenate, especially those from bio-oils comprises forming a reaction mixture comprising the oxygenate, molecular hydrogen, and a hydrodeoxygenation catalyst in a solvent. The reaction mixture is maintained at a temperature that is 0.7 to 1.3 times the solvent critical temperature in absolute temperature units (K). Complete deoxygenation occurs via a hydrodeoxygenation pathway and a decarbonylation pathway.