Debt - Outstanding Letters of Credit (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Committed lines	$ 10	$ 25
Uncommitted lines	103	372
Total	$ 113	$ 397

Amount of letters of credit outstanding at the balance sheet date related to uncommitted lines.

No definition available.

Name:	hes_OutstandingLettersOfCreditUncommittedLines
Namespace Prefix:	hes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant