Debt - Outstanding Letters of Credit (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Committed lines	$ 1	$ 10
Uncommitted lines	187	103
Total	$ 188	$ 113

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