Each year, Alyeska leaders select Atigun Award recipients, which recognize employees, contractors, and teams who stand out for their exceptional contributions and dedication on the Trans Alaska Pipeline System, or TAPS. In 2025, Valdez Lab technician Greg Tang won the Lifetime Achievement award. In his 48 years on TAPS, Greg’s integrity, attention to detail, and continued desire to learn has made him an asset at Alyeska. After graduating from Hong Kong’s Aberdeen Technical School, Greg moved to Alaska, where he started a summer job as a TAPS contractor in 1975 as a lab technician. A year later, he took a senior role in the lab and continued building his skillset and accountabilities. Throughout his career, Greg, now a Field Science Technician, has embodied a selfless dedication to Alyeska, and is quick to share knowledge with fellow lab technicians and work groups.
Greg recently shared some of his experiences on TAPS, and what’s kept him around longer than oil has been flowing through the pipeline.
How did you feel when you heard you won this award?
Very surprised, totally unexpected, and humbled. When [Alyeska President and CEO] John Kurz called me to tell me about this, I first thought that he might want to ask me questions about a project that I nominated for an Atigun award. I am honored and grateful to be working with an amazing group of professionals and the “lab rats” in the lab.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the job is doing the Port Valdez Environmental Monitoring sampling on the response boat Valdez Star, and the mussel sampling in 2017.
Do you have a favorite day on TAPS? Tell us about it!
Yes, the most memorable day was July 28, 1977, when the first barrel of Alaska North Slope crude oil arrived at the terminal at 11:02 p.m. The City of Valdez threw a big street party to celebrate the following day. The Valdez ‘Oil In’ celebration was captured by international news media and broadcast around the world. My parents watched the news event on TV in Hong Kong. They called me and told me that they had watched the news, saw what Valdez looked like, and knew I was there celebrating and was part of the success story. It was a proud family moment and validated that my decision to move to Alaska was a right one. It was like the early version of #TAPSPride.
Is there anyone you’d like to recognize who has helped you along the way or supports your work?
There are many people who had helped me over the years (most of them had already retired) – from the Fluor engineers during the Valdez Marine Terminal construction, my mentors at the analyzer and instrument and electrical group, Ballast Water Treatment operators and staff during my time there, and most of all to my current Analytical Laboratory Services, or ALS, supervisor, Bob Carson, and my ALS colleagues. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work with great teams and a world class organization.
- Submitted by Alyeska Corporate Communications