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Alyeska’s Executive Team has selected 2025 Atigun Award recipients, recognizing employees, contractors and teams who stand out for their exceptional contributions and dedication on TAPS.

“On behalf of the entire Executive Team, I congratulate everyone receiving an Atigun Award and honorable mention this year,” said John Kurz, Alyeska President & CEO. “The spotlights on driven teams and individuals detailed in the nominations reflect the remarkable work done every day on TAPS.”

Five Atigun Awards were named in the categories of Health & Safety, Integrity, Teamwork, Environment, and Innovation, and Kurz also named President’s Choice recipients in the following categories: Lifetime Achievement, Engineer of the Year, Technician of the Year, Professional of the Year, Contractor of the Year and Silent Runner of the Year. The 2025 Atigun Awards recognize 2024 performance.

HEALTH & SAFETY: Recognizing achievements in health & safety of people and property, including process and operational safety.

Atigun Award: Port Valdez kayaker rescue
On June 29, 2024, the crew aboard the Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) escort tug Contender heard people calling for help near their station at the oil spill response barge, OSRB-3, in Port Valdez. The crew spotted one kayaker in the water and another kayaker taking on water. The rescue operation was a close collaboration between Alyeska, ECO and Tatitlek Chenega Chugach (TCC). Vessel-to-vessel exchanges, as performed between the OSRB-3 and the Black Rozema, can be challenging, and the team did an exceptional job keeping the kayakers – and themselves – safe during the rescue.

Honorable Mention: Environment Health Safety Insight (EHSI) upgrade
In 2024, Alyeska upgraded to EHSI, a cloud-based Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) quality management application. The upgrade allows more data-driven decisions and robust view of trends, as well as more timely discussions and HSE actions on TAPS. Compiling data to build an EHS report was a monthly activity requiring collaboration from Safety, Contracting, HR, OHU, Engineering, Site Engineering and contractors. With EHSI, this critical information is available in real time.

INTEGRITY: Demonstrating commitment to the highest ethical standards. Recognizing achievements in meeting commitments to protect the operating integrity of TAPS and the integrity of APSC business practices.

Atigun Award: Regulatory Compliance Team 
The Regulatory Compliance Team championed and supported notable work in 2024, not limited to the team’s ownership of the PHMSA integrated inspection and facilitation of the TAPS arc flash labeling effort. The team’s interactions with many departments, along with state and federal regulatory partners, demonstrated consistency and a commitment to others, and every member maintained a strong level of trust as they took on extra accountability while supporting TAPS.

Honorable Mention: Jacques Cloutier, Data Management Specialist
Jacques Cloutier spent 2024 the way he’s always worked on TAPS: contributing to many work groups and offering assistance and impact on many projects. In 2024, with survey planning and careful review of historical data, Jacques was able to locate the mainline pipe at MP 775 within a foot. He supported Civil Integrity with conceptual work around the Pipeline Milepost 680 vertical support member replacement. His usual teamwork and oversight of data quality includes leading the implementation of Pipeline Open Data Standard for Systems Integrity critical data, participation in Alyeska’s Incident Management Team, improvements in alignment of In-line Inspection data for the Fuel Gas Line and Mainline survey support, and acting as an asset during the 2024 Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) inspection and annual PHMSA reporting.

TEAMWORK: Applying shared responsibility for Alyeska’s mission and resources entrusted to us.

Atigun Award: Pump Station 9 Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) replacement
In November 2023, a fire occurred in VFD #2 at PS9, resulting in damage and an inoperable drive. A companywide response effort was launched to restore full oil-moving capability to PS9 and TAPS. The repair and investigation were worked simultaneously and resulted in the procurement of a partial spare, refurbishment and installation, line-wide inspections and changes to maintenance practices. The repair effort was split into three phases: short-, mid- and long-term. Return to full service was accomplished by March 10, 2024.

Honorable Mention: Pump Station 1 electrical technicians & power team 
Electrical power team technicians at PS1 successfully completed the required six-year maintenance cycle on all of the station’s power distribution equipment safely and without negative operational impacts in 2024. This work required great attention to detail and strong communication to execute energy isolations on all electrical equipment supplying power to the station grid while simultaneously maintaining safe operations. The team balanced its schedule with restricted work times while additional critical work, including when the In-Line Inspection tool was deployed on TAPS. Planned maintenance shutdown periods were also leveraged to drastically reduce work time and prevent additional shutdown time.

ENVIRONMENT: Recognizing achievements in environmental protection, habitat enhancements, regulatory compliance or pollution prevention.

Atigun Award: Replacement of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) at Berth 5
The 2024 Berth 5 fire foam replacement project was implemented to transition the Berth 5 fire protection system from AFFF to the fluorine free foam (F3) product Universal Green F3. While AFFF is effective at fighting flammable liquid fires, scientific studies have shown that it is not biodegradable compared to F3. Removal and decommissioning of AFFF fire water systems was completed during previous years at Pump Stations 1, 4, 5, and 7, and the Berth 5 project marked the first step toward polyfluoroalkyl substance free (PFAS-free) fire protection at VMT. This project will be used as a model for Berth 4 in 2025. By proactively transitioning away from AFFF and implementing modifications before regulatory requirements are in place, Alyeska continues its commitment toward minimizing environmental impacts and ensuring safe operations.

Honorable Mention: RGV 98 and 100 Osprey nest relocation 
Civil Maintenance Coordinators and Baseline members took initiative as environmental stewards when they discovered nests built by two ospreys on towers at Remote Gate Valves 98 and 100. These nests often weigh hundreds of pounds had the potential to cause a communication outage or result in a pipeline shutdown. To reduce this risk, crews creatively constructed alternate platforms to relocate the nests and maintain the osprey’s habitat for their springtime return.

INNOVATION: Leveraging knowledge and creativity to continuously improve operations and efficiency.

Atigun Award: Glenallen Response Base (GRB) slope stability 
Landslide activity at GRB Hill above the vital spill response facility has been a challenge since construction. Over the years, several rapid landslides occurred near the mainline, and slow soil creep movement caused the aboveground mainline support structures to impact structural integrity. The risk was managed by monitoring and continuous maintenance for several years, and a team of specialty engineers and contractors took action to develop an efficient system of deep tieback soil anchors, drainage improvements, and surface insulation to ensure long-term stabilization to this steep slope. The team eliminated a critical risk to TAPS and the environment by optimizing the design with innovative testing through a high level of geologic investigation and engineering.

Honorable Mention: GenAI adoption to improve business outcomes
A cross-section of teams and workers across TAPS made significant strides in 2024 in GenAI adoption to improve business outcomes. The Generative Artificial Intelligence Use Policy, IT-DPOL-004, was published in July, the result of a collaborative effort from Cyber Security, IT, and Legal. Additionally, a cross-departmental AI Governance group formed and meets regularly to assess AI opportunities and issues. IT created and implemented a service catalog item to manage and document requests and approvals for AI access, and key early adopters have embraced generative AI as a pioneering initiative, utilizing its advanced capabilities to improve various work functions and tasks and champion its use across the company. Team members model responsible AI use by strictly adhering to data protection laws and Alyeska policies.

PRESIDENT’S CHOICE AWARDS

Lifetime Achievement: Greg Tang, Field Science Technician
In his 47 years on TAPS, Greg Tang’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 has embodied a selfless dedication to Alyeska, and is quick to share knowledge with fellow lab technicians and work groups.

Engineer of the Year: Daniel Oliva, Site Engineer
Daniel Oliva is considered a go-to by many for technical support and troubleshooting. The Engineering Work Order workbook, designed by Oliva and coined “Daniel’s spreadsheet,” has helped align priorities between Operations & Maintenance and Engineering departments with its prioritization scale and common rating methodology. Daniel regularly contributes with designs, drawings and specifications to several projects and extensive field engineering support.

Technician of the Year: Ben Parker, Shops Maintenance Technician 
Ben Parker is a true team player who radiates positivity in everything he does. Whether he’s handling day-to-day tasks or lending a helpful hand, Ben leads by example. His exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to connect with others while sharing his expertise of TAPS made him a perfect choice to co-lead a pipeline tour for 21 new-hire technicians in 2024. Ben’s commitment to see others succeed often leads to impromptu training sessions on technical topics. He’s respected by his peers and is an asset to workgroups along the pipeline.

Professional of the Year: Steve Marlin, Sr. Assistant General Counsel
Steve Marlin’s dependable nature and commitment to excellence inspires confidence and trust in everyone he works with. An advisor to many, Steve offers honest advice that is consistently in Alyeska’s best interest. Steve’s openminded approach to every challenge and question allows him to actively engage with an issue and gain a full understanding before he offers solutions that consider a decision’s short- and long-term impacts. With a special focus on field operations, he demonstrates care for TAPS workers through his timeliness of deliverables and has fostered a culture of trust and companywide collaboration.

Contractor of the Year: Adam McAllister, HCC B/L Foreman 
Adam McAllister exemplifies integrity in all aspects of his work as a Houston Contracting Company Baseline Foreman at Pump Station 5. His dedication, trustworthiness, and meticulous attention to detail make him an invaluable asset to TAPS. Adam’s deep institutional knowledge of his area and expertise on regulatory requirements ensures his work is performed to the highest standards. PS5 leadership praise Adam for his proactive approach and problem-solving skills, as he often offers solutions, a calming presence, and a thoughtful approach to work on TAPS.

Silent Runner of the Year: Grainne Bonestroo, CMV Lead
Grainne Bonestroo takes on critical assignments that have streamlined and organized several regulatory-driven programs. She is responsible for organizing the changing regulations for the Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) program and worked with Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Operations, contractors and others to bring a collective understanding. Most recently, she was requested to support an initiative regarding Alyeska’s OQIS software application. Over several months, the team determined a corrective action plan that was implemented for all application users on TAPS. Grainne is a go-to for guidance on an assortment of topics and offers steadfast support to her team and others linewide.

Silent Runner of the Year: Sam Craft, Sr. Inventory Control Coordinator
Sam Craft takes on a leadership role at Alyeska’s Central Warehouse (ACW), where his efforts result in a more organized and better utilized warehouse and outdoor space. Sam collaborates with multiple groups to address staged, deferred maintenance, and obsolete materials for work on TAPS. Sam’s resourcefulness and creative approach to managing valve inventory is innovative and especially valuable with recent global supply chain delays. His work ethic promotes core mindsets, encourages strong communication, and builds strengthened partnerships with groups that engage with the Materials team.

“The work recognized through the Atigun Award Program reflects the professional excellence we strive for every day on TAPS,” said Kurz. “Please join me in congratulating recipients on their achievement.”