Inside SPL's Anchorage Energy Lab
At SPL, our strength comes from the incredible people who power our work. Behind every crude oil test result SPL delivers is a technical process built on training, discipline, and daily attention to detail. At our Energy Lab in Anchorage, Alaska, Laboratory Analysts like Illya Polyak run the distillations and technical tests that clients depend on for accurate, defensible data. His work is a window into what a career at SPL actually looks like, and why clients trust the numbers we deliver.
What a Laboratory Analyst Does at SPL
Illya joined SPL’s Anchorage Energy Lab after building a foundation in biochemistry and thermodynamics, along with hands-on experience in healthcare and construction. That combination of technical training and practical skill is common among SPL’s lab teams, where precision matters as much as scientific knowledge.
Day-to-day, Illya distills crude oil and runs the technical tests that generate the reports SPL clients rely on. The role requires steady hands and a sharp eye: reading procedures correctly, running instruments consistently, and catching anything that looks off before it reaches a client’s desk.
“I work with a lot of numbers and tests, and to me it’s crucial that all the numbers were recorded with integrity and honesty. “
From learning the fundamentals to reading a full story in a data set, this is the kind of technical development SPL invests in across every lab.
How SPL's Standards Show Up on the Bench
Safety
Every SPL lab runs on routine safety checks, not just policy. Illya inspects fire extinguishers, eye wash stations, and PPE supplies every month. “You may have 1,000 problems until you have a health problem, then you only have one problem,” he said, describing the mindset behind SPL’s safety culture.
Service
Client service starts with the analyst running the test. “Our clients pay us to run tests for them,” Illya said. “No matter how hard the day was, I ran everything with absolute honesty and as consistently with the procedures as possible.” That consistency is what allows SPL to stand behind every result it delivers.
Integrity
Accurate data starts with honest recordkeeping. “If your data comes from someone who was writing down whatever numbers they imagined, then all the graphs you spent so much time on are meaningless,” Illya said. That’s why SPL analysts focus on collecting consistent, repeatable results, the foundation of the defensible data clients count on for their own reporting and compliance needs. Illya applies the same discipline to his equipment, maintaining his distillery like it’s his own, so it runs at its best for every sample.
A Career Built on Doing the Work Right
“My main motivation is getting work done the right way, not taking shortcuts, but doing my best,” Illya said. That standard, applied consistently across every SPL lab, is what turns individual analysts into a company clients can rely on.
Thank you, Illya, for your dedication, your curiosity, and for bringing that spirit of craftsmanship to the SPL family every day!
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SPL’s Employee Spotlight series highlights the analysts, technicians, and specialists across Energy Laboratories, Environmental Laboratories, and Measurement Services who make that reliability possible every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Laboratory Analyst at SPL's Energy Lab do?
A Laboratory Analyst at SPL’s Energy Labs run technical tests on crude oil samples, including distillation, and records results that clients rely on for defensible data. The role combines hands-on instrument work with careful, consistent documentation.
Where is SPL's Energy Lab located in Alaska?
SPL operates an Energy Lab in Anchorage, Alaska, supporting crude oil testing and technical analysis for clients across the region.
What background do you need to become a Laboratory Analyst at SPL?
SPL Laboratory Analysts come from varied backgrounds. Illya Polyak’s foundation in biochemistry and thermodynamics, paired with hands-on experience in construction and healthcare, shows that a strong work ethic and attention to detail matter as much as a traditional lab background.
Does SPL highlight employees across all its divisions?
Yes, SPL runs a recurring Employee Spotlight series featuring team members from Energy Laboratories, Environmental Laboratories, and Measurement Services to share the people behind SPL’s work.
Where are SPL's laboratories located?
SPL operates laboratory and measurement services locations throughout every major oil and gas producing region in the country, including the DJ Basin, Williston Basin, Permian Basin, Eagle Ford, Haynesville, Gulf Coast, Mid-Atlantic, and Rocky Mountain regions. This national footprint gives clients the resources and expertise of a fully integrated lab and measurement network, while local teams deliver personalized service and build lasting relationships. The result: defensible data from hydrocarbon lab testing, environmental compliance testing, and measurement solutions, generated close to where you work.
Want to learn more about Careers at SPL?
Check out our Careers webpage for current open positions.