Middle East energy giant Saudi Arabian Oil Co (Saudi Aramco) has handed its top legal role to long-serving lawyer David Kultgen, reports Corporate Counsel.

The US-trained lawyer has been with Saudi Aramco, one of the world's largest oil companies, for 37 years, having joined the company from law school in 1973.

In January, he was promoted from deputy general counsel to general counsel and corporate secretary, becoming only the second legal head in the company's history. He replaces Stanley McGinley, another company veteran, who is now serving as the company's senior vice president, on special assignment.