Arnold Johnson, Noble Energy

Noble Energy Inc.'s general counsel departed the company earlier this month to “pursue personal interests.”

Arnold Johnson, the Houston-based company's senior vice president, general counsel and secretary, resigned on Nov. 12, according to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing from four days later.

The company said that Aaron Carlson, an in-house attorney who was recently promoted to deputy GC, will lead Noble Energy's legal department on an interim basis, until a permanent successor to Johnson is found.

Johnson was named general counsel of the energy company in February 2004 following the retirement of Albert Hoppe. Prior to taking over the top legal role, Johnson had served as Noble Energy's associate GC and assistant secretary since 2001.

In a 2014 interview with Profile Magazine, Johnson spoke about his role in helping Noble scale from a $2 billion company in 2001 to one with a market capitalization of more than $20 billion.

“A few years ago, we recognized that we were growing rapidly and that we had to design an organization that could handle the size and scale we were going to be, instead of looking back at the size and scale we had been,” he said at the time.

Before joining Noble, Johnson held in-house legal roles at BP America Inc. and Vastar Resources.

Upon Johnson's promotion at Noble in 2004, the company's then-CEO Charles Davidson said, “Arne has consistently demonstrated excellent leadership skills and professional ability throughout his career, and I am excited that he is assuming this new role as general counsel.”

This story has been updated to include the name of the interim leader stepping in at Noble until Johnson's successor is appointed.

Arnold Johnson, Noble Energy

Noble Energy Inc.'s general counsel departed the company earlier this month to “pursue personal interests.”

Arnold Johnson, the Houston-based company's senior vice president, general counsel and secretary, resigned on Nov. 12, according to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing from four days later.

The company said that Aaron Carlson, an in-house attorney who was recently promoted to deputy GC, will lead Noble Energy's legal department on an interim basis, until a permanent successor to Johnson is found.

Johnson was named general counsel of the energy company in February 2004 following the retirement of Albert Hoppe. Prior to taking over the top legal role, Johnson had served as Noble Energy's associate GC and assistant secretary since 2001.

In a 2014 interview with Profile Magazine, Johnson spoke about his role in helping Noble scale from a $2 billion company in 2001 to one with a market capitalization of more than $20 billion.

“A few years ago, we recognized that we were growing rapidly and that we had to design an organization that could handle the size and scale we were going to be, instead of looking back at the size and scale we had been,” he said at the time.

Before joining Noble, Johnson held in-house legal roles at BP America Inc. and Vastar Resources.

Upon Johnson's promotion at Noble in 2004, the company's then-CEO Charles Davidson said, “Arne has consistently demonstrated excellent leadership skills and professional ability throughout his career, and I am excited that he is assuming this new role as general counsel.”

This story has been updated to include the name of the interim leader stepping in at Noble until Johnson's successor is appointed.