Disposition of businesses.

No definition available.

Name:	hes_DispositionOfBusinessesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	hes_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) on sale or disposal of proven and unproven oil and gas properties.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfOilAndGasProperty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the amount of gain (loss) on sale of properties during the reporting period net of the applicable income taxes realized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 974
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-15.(a)(1)(ii))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6875705&loc=d3e641549-123027

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfPropertiesNetOfApplicableIncomeTaxes
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow to dispose of long-lived, physical assets and mineral interests in oil and gas properties used for normal oil and gas operations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfOilAndGasPropertyAndEquipment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=hes_PermianBasinMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=hes_ExplorationAndProductionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=hes_MidstreamMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Disposition - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Disposition Of Businesses [Line Items]
Consideration for sale of oil recovery assets			$ 783	$ 80
Pre-tax gain on sale of oil recovery assets	$ 274	$ 0	276	$ 27
Permian Basin
Disposition Of Businesses [Line Items]
Consideration for sale of oil recovery assets	597		597
Pre-tax gain on sale of oil recovery assets	273		273
Gain (loss) on sale of oil recovery assets after income taxes	280		280
Permian Basin \| Exploration and Production
Disposition Of Businesses [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on sale of oil recovery assets after income taxes	314		314
Permian Basin \| Midstream
Disposition Of Businesses [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on sale of oil recovery assets after income taxes	$ (34)		$ (34)