Women Who Shine: Q&A with Julie Dill

 

Women Who Shine: Q&A with Julie Dill

Spectra Energy's Chief Communications Officer Julie Dill has held many positions within the company, but most recently was appointed to lead the company's communications efforts. Dill has a wealth of experience in the energy sector, having served in a number of executive capacities in the natural gas and power industries.

With more than 30 years of experience, Dill served as president of Union Gas Limited, Spectra Energy's major Canadian natural gas utility company.

Rigzone: Spectra Energy is in a transformational time. Please elaborate on your plans to grow the company and what major changes have taken place?

Dill: In my 32 years of working in the energy business I’ve never experienced a more exciting time in the industry than now. The significant discoveries of shale oil and gas here in North America have truly changed how we think about our energy needs—and it has created a wealth of opportunities for companies like Spectra Energy.

Industry Leaders Offer Predictions for 2014Julie Dill, Spectra Energy's Chief Communications Officer

New infrastructure is needed to move these abundant supplies to the markets that need it, and so we see opportunities to invest more than $25 billion between now and the end of the decade. This year alone, we spent $6 billion, which included the completion of an expansion of our Texas Eastern system into Manhattan. This was a significant feat for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that consumers in the New York and New Jersey region are projected to save about $700 million on energy costs each year as a result of this new pipeline.

As a matter of fact, the day before the pipe went into service this fall, gas prices dropped from about $8 to $4 in a day thanks to the increased supply to the area.   

Recently, we were awarded a contract to build a new pipeline into Florida. This is another very exciting project as Florida continues to convert its power generation systems to low cost natural gas. Other such conversions are happening in other regions as well, so we are helping to build infrastructure to move gas from the Utica to operators in Ohio.

The Marcellus Shale is the most prolific, and we are working on new infrastructure to move some of that gas around the Great Lakes and into Ontario, Canada. That expansion would be the first time we have connected our Texas Eastern System to our subsidiary system at Union Gas in Ontario. And of course we are working to see how we can help put infrastructure in place as LNG terminals both in the United States and in Canada are now receiving permits to export gas to other markets.

Of course I can’t miss talking about our move into the oil space through the acquisition of the Express-Platte Pipeline System that brings oil out of Canada and the Bakken regions to Casper, Wyoming and onward to Wood River, Illinois. We see numerous opportunities to expand that system as refineries on the west coast, the mid-continent and the gulf coast all need additional supplies of crude oil – and this helps us reduce our dependence on foreign sourced oil.

I could go on and on – but suffice it to say we have a lot on our plate. And with the recent dropdown of assets into our master limited partnership, Spectra Energy Partners, we now have a very powerful financing vehicle to fund all this growth!  

Rigzone: How have you dealt with shifting your focus from day-to-day operations to more of a broader, strategic focus?

Dill: From 2007-2011, I had the privilege of leading our gas distribution business as president of Union Gas in Ontario, Canada. While that role certainly had a strategic component, it was very much a day-to-day, “in the trenches” role. With more than 2,200 employees and almost 1.4 million retail customers, each day was filled with new opportunities and challenges.

One day I’d find myself trying my hand at welding (complete with a fire suit and face shield) so I could truly understand what we were asking our front line folks to do, and then the next I would be talking to government or regulatory officials about our business and how natural gas could help drive an economic turnaround. For the last two years, I’ve been responsible for leading our strategic efforts at Spectra Energy, helping to chart a course for our company by identifying new opportunities and the possible roadblocks or headwinds we may encounter as we pursue our strategic path. It’s been more about “what is possible?” and less about operating our existing infrastructure. I truly enjoy the strategic work as it has broadened my thinking about our business and the world in which we are doing business. I take great pride in the progress we are making as a company.

In my current role as Spectra Energy’s chief communications officer, I’m heavily engaged with the investor and public conversations that are so important to our business, and to the future of the U.S. and Canada.

Rigzone: Spectra’s long-term focus for growth includes gas-fired electric generation. What trends have you noticed in this sector and what are the company’s plans in regards to this?

Dill: Abundant and low cost natural gas supplies, coupled with the environmental benefits of natural gas, have made the switch to gas-fired electric power generation an attractive one. The Energy Information Administration shows power generation use for natural gas up 66 percent from 2002-2012. And that trend is going to continue in regions like Florida and the mid-west, so we do see continued growth in that area. 

U.S. Natural Gas Deliveries to Electric Power Consumers (Million Cubic Feet)

Women Who Shine: Q&A with Julie DillSource: U.S. Energy Information Administration

While power generation is currently viewed as the most significant growth area for natural gas, we are starting to see additional demand for gas to fuel the manufacturing sector – businesses like petrochemical, steel and methanol companies. We have a real opportunity for a manufacturing resurgence here in the United States, and we’re excited to work with these companies to see how we can help fuel that growth through the use of natural gas.

Rigzone: Who has been the biggest influence in your professional career and why?

Dill: There are three people. The first was Nick Caruso at Shell Oil Company who was the first person to acknowledge that I was not being listened to—in meetings where I was the only woman—and that I actually had something valuable to add to the conversation! Once he had that epiphany, he became my biggest advocate and provided me with opportunities I might not have had otherwise.

The second was Bruce Williamson at Duke Energy International who asked if I would ever be interested in running a business as opposed to being in a purely financial function. I never even considered that would be a possibility – but with that simple question, Bruce opened a door for me that changed my life.

And lastly, there was Paul Anderson at Duke Energy who afforded me an opportunity to sit at the executive table when he was CEO so I could learn how a business was really run and how decisions were made.   

Rigzone: What advice would you give to other like-minded women?

Dill: Don’t be afraid to take a chance – on yourself or on an opportunity. Have confidence in your ability to learn quickly on the job. You do not need all the technical skills “required” for a position – you just have to be able to listen and learn. Also, make sure to find your voice. Do not be afraid to raise contrary or controversial opinions or views, but do so in a respectful and professional way. Make sure to help other women develop and grow. It is our responsibility to be role models and mentors to the next great generation of women.

And lastly, don’t be afraid to be feminine. It is not a necessary to be a man in a man’s world.



WHAT DO YOU THINK?


Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

naomi medina  |  January 21, 2014
Congratulations to Chief Communications Officer Julie Dill.I commend you on this article for the recognition and acknowledgement you have received for your professional growth, experience and accomplishments through your years at Duke Energy. You are are the role model to others that all is possible through hard work and determination to stay focused in a vision to being successful. My sister works for Duke Energy as well, Anita Rodriguez has for many years and is proud to be part of Duke Energy. Good luck and God Bless .Sincerely Naomi Rodriguez Medina


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