<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-09-03</periodOfReport>


    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000004447</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AMERADA HESS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AHC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001262397</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SANDISON GEORGE</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE ALLEN CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>500 DALLAS STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77002</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock $1.00 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>

        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock $1.00 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>76</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Note</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option to purchase Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>60.26</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-12-05</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2011-12-05</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock $1.00 par value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares of restricted stock awarded as of September 3, 2003 held in escrow under the Amended and Restated 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan pursuant to old Rule 16b-3.  The reporting person has only voting power of these shares until the lapsing of the period set by the Committee administering the plan at which time the shares plus accrued dividends will be delivered to the reporting person if he is still an employee of the Corporation.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Shares held in AH Stock Ownership Savings Plan as of December 31,2002.  This plan is sponsored by a subsidiary of the issuer.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>George C. Barry, by power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-09-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

