Major subordinate agencies and companies include the Water Resources and Energy Directorate, the Petroleum Directorate, Petoro, Gassnova, Gassco, Enova, Statnett and a partial ownership of Statoil.

The position was created on 11 January 1978 as a response to the increased importance of oil on the Norwegian continental shelf.

Kåre Kristiansen holds the longest tenure, as one of six to have held the position for more than two years.

The position has been a favorite of the Centre Party, who has claimed it in all coalition governments they have participated in except Willoch II.

The following lists the minister, their party, date of assuming and leaving office, their tenure in years and days, and the cabinet they served in.