Derivative nonmonetary notional amount volume of oil per day from execution through to year end.

No definition available.

Name:	hes_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmountVolumeOfOilPerDayFromExecutionToYearEnd
Namespace Prefix:	hes_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Derivative notional amount gross.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hes_DerivativeNotionalAmountGross
Namespace Prefix:	hes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Increased decreased exploration, production, sales and other operating revenue.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hes_IncreasedDecreasedExplorationProductionSalesAndOtherOperatingRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	hes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Payment to terminate interest rate swaps .

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hes_PaymentToTerminateInterestRateSwaps
Namespace Prefix:	hes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Realized gain (loss) on cash flow hedging instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hes_RealizedGainLossOnCashFlowHedgingInstrument
Namespace Prefix:	hes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate notional amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 12
-Section 13
-Sentence Column B

+ Details

Name:	invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
Namespace Prefix:	invest_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The estimated net amount of existing gains or losses on cash flow hedges at the reporting date expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=112277219&loc=d3e80748-113994

+ Details

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

- Definition

Identification of the lender and information about a contractual promise to repay a short-term or long-term obligation, which includes borrowings under lines of credit, notes payable, commercial paper, bonds payable, debentures, and other contractual obligations for payment. This may include rationale for entering into the arrangement, significant terms of the arrangement, which may include amount, repayment terms, priority, collateral required, debt covenants, borrowing capacity, call features, participation rights, conversion provisions, sinking-fund requirements, voting rights, basis for conversion if convertible and remarketing provisions. The description may be provided for individual debt instruments, rational groupings of debt instruments, or by debt in total.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(13))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 6: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(19))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 7: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75038535&loc=d3e64711-112823

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDescription
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The average cap rate on a group of price risk derivatives such as caps or collars. A payment or receipt is triggered if the market rate exceeds the cap rate on the contract.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeAverageCapPrice
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	us-types:perUnitItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The average floor rate on a group of price risk derivatives such as floors or collars. A payment or receipt is triggered if the market rate falls below the floor rate on the contract.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeAverageFloorPrice
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	us-types:perUnitItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The estimated value of gains (losses), net anticipated to be transferred in the future from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=112277219&loc=d3e80845-113994

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount before tax of foreign currency transaction realized and unrealized gain (loss) recognized in the income statement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450222&loc=d3e30840-110895

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109240200&loc=d3e30700-110894

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109240200&loc=d3e30690-110894

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in earnings in the period from the increase (decrease) in fair value of foreign currency derivatives not designated as hedging instruments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4A
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=SL5618551-113959

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4C
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=SL5624171-113959

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of unrealized gain (loss) related to the fair value of interest rate derivatives designated as fair value hedging instruments, as offset by the gain (loss) on the hedged item to the extent that the fair value hedge is determined to be effective.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4A
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=SL5618551-113959

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4C
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=SL5624171-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFairValueOfInterestRateFairValueHedgingInstruments1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of unrealized gain (loss) related to the increase or decrease in fair value of interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments, which was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income to the extent that the cash flow hedge was determined to be effective.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4C
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=SL5624171-113959

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis=us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_EnergyAxis=us-gaap_CrudeOilMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis=us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis=us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=hes_EnergyDerivativeTwoThousandEighteenSettlementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_EnergyAxis=hes_WTIMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis=us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=hes_EnergyDerivativeTwoThousandNineteenSettlementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=hes_NotesEightPointOneTwoFivePercentageDueTwoThousandNineteenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Financial Risk Management Activities - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) $ / bbl	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) bbl / d	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) bbl / d $ / bbl	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) bbl / d $ / bbl
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Redeemed and repurchased debt				terminated interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $350 million.
Designated as Fair Value Hedges
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Redeemed and repurchased debt				In the first quarter of 2018, we paid $3 million, to terminate interest rate swaps with a gross notional amount of $350 million. See Note 4, Debt.
Crude Oil \| Derivative Contracts Designated as Hedging Instruments
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Crude oil price hedging contracts increased (decreased) Sales and other operating revenues by this amount, pre-tax	$ (45,000,000)			$ (119,000,000)
Increased (decreased) sales and other operating revenue			$ 6,000,000		$ (5,000,000)
After-tax deferred gain (losses) related to outstanding crude oil price hedging contracts Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to be reclassified into earnings	0		0	(92,000,000)	0
After-tax deferred losses related to outstanding crude oil price hedging contracts to be reclassified into earnings during the next twelve months				(90,000,000)
Crude Oil \| Derivative Contracts Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Crude oil price hedging contracts increased (decreased) Sales and other operating revenues by this amount, pre-tax	$ (4,000,000)			(20,000,000)
After-tax deferred gain (losses) related to outstanding crude oil price hedging contracts Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to be reclassified into earnings				$ (3,000,000)
2018 \| West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil Price Hedging Contracts
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Monthly floor price \| $ / bbl	50			50		50
Monthly ceiling price \| $ / bbl	0			0		65
Notional amount of outstanding average barrels of oil per day \| bbl / d		115,000		115,000		115,000
2018 \| West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil Price Hedging Contracts \| Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Monthly floor price \| $ / bbl	50			50		50
Monthly ceiling price \| $ / bbl						65
2019 \| West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil Price Hedging Contracts
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Monthly floor price \| $ / bbl	60			60
Monthly ceiling price \| $ / bbl	0			0
2019 \| West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil Price Hedging Contracts \| Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Monthly floor price \| $ / bbl	60			60
Notional amount of outstanding average barrels of oil per day \| bbl / d				90,000
Interest Rate Swaps \| Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Outstanding gross notional amount					459,000,000
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps - increase/(decrease)			1,000,000		2,000,000
Interest Rate Swaps \| Designated as Fair Value Hedges
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Outstanding gross notional amount	$ 100,000,000			$ 100,000,000		$ 450,000,000
Interest Rate Swaps \| Designated as Fair Value Hedges \| Maximum
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Unrealized change in fair value of interest rate swaps - increase in derivative liability	1,000,000		1,000,000	4,000,000	3,000,000
Interest Rate Swaps \| Designated as Fair Value Hedges \| 8.125% Notes Due 2019
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Outstanding gross notional amount		$ 350,000,000
Payment to terminate interest rate swaps		$ 3,000,000
Foreign Exchange
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Outstanding gross notional amount	9,000,000			9,000,000		$ 52,000,000
Foreign exchange gains and (losses) reported in Other, net	(4,000,000)		17,000,000	(4,000,000)	26,000,000
Foreign Exchange \| Derivative Contracts Not Designated as Hedging Instruments \| Maximum
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign exchange derivative contracts that are not designated as hedges	$ (1,000,000)		$ 1,000,000	$ (1,000,000)	$ 2,000,000