Weighted Average Common Shares - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Hess Corporation	$ (376)	$ 364
INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF INCOME TAXES	(13)	57
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		35
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Hess Corporation	(13)	22
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO HESS CORPORATION	$ (389)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 386us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	283.5	318.1
Effect of dilutive securities
Restricted common stock		1.5
Stock options		1.8
Performance share units		1.2
Diluted	283.5	322.6
Basic:
Continuing operations	$ (1.32)	$ 1.14
Discontinued operations	$ (0.05)	$ 0.07
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE	$ (1.37)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 1.21us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
DILUTED:
Continuing operations	$ (1.32)	$ 1.13
Discontinued operations	$ (0.05)	$ 0.07
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE	$ (1.37)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 1.20us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the parent. Also defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items but after deduction of those portions of income or loss from continuing operations that are allocable to noncontrolling interests.

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The amount of net income (loss) from continuing operations per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) derived from continuing operations during the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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Amount of income (loss) from a disposal group, net of income tax before extraordinary items allocable to noncontrolling interests. Includes, net of tax, income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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This element represents the overall income (loss) from a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity, net of income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items, which is apportioned to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest). This item includes the following (net of tax): income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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Amount of income (loss) from a disposal group, net of income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items after deduction or consideration of the amount allocable to noncontrolling interests. Includes, net of tax, income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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Per basic share amount, after tax, of income (loss) from the day-to-day business activities of the discontinued operation and gain (loss) from the disposal of the discontinued operation.

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Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of call options and warrants using the treasury stock method.

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Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of contingently issuable shares. Contingently issuable shares are those shares that are issuable for little or no cash contingent on certain conditions being met.

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Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of share based payment arrangements using the treasury stock method.

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