Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs (Details) (USD $) In Millions	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Net changes in capitalized exploratory well costs
Balance at January 1	$ 1,783
Additions to capitalized exploratory well costs pending the determination of proved reserves	534
Reclassification to wells, facilities, and equipment based on the determination of proved reserves	(168)
Capitalized exploratory well cost charge to expense	(70)
Dispositions	(12)
Balance at end of period	$ 2,067

Dispositions of capitalized exploratory well costs during the reporting period due to asset sales, disposals and etc.

Name:	hes_Dispositions
Namespace Prefix:	hes
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Additions to capitalized exploratory well costs that were added during the reporting period pending the determination of proved reserves.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS19-1

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 932

-SubTopic 235

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1B

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6821537&loc=SL6806780-109447

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalizedExploratoryWellCostAdditionsPendingDeterminationOfProvedReserves
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Capitalized exploratory well costs that were expensed during the year because proved reserves were not found at the exploratory well.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS19-1

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 932

-SubTopic 235

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1B

-Subparagraph (a)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6821537&loc=SL6806780-109447

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalizedExploratoryWellCostChargedToExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of capitalized exploratory well costs that is pending the determination of proved reserves. This does not include amounts that were capitalized and subsequently expensed in the same annual period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS19-1

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 932

-SubTopic 235

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1B

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6821537&loc=SL6806780-109447

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalizedExploratoryWellCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInCapitalizedExploratoryWellCostsThatArePendingDeterminationOfProvedReservesRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Previously capitalized costs of the drilling of wells that were reclassified as part of the costs of the enterprise's wells and related equipment and facilities at the time that proved reserves were found.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS19-1

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 932

-SubTopic 235

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1B

-Subparagraph (a)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6821537&loc=SL6806780-109447

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ReclassificationToWellFacilitiesAndEquipmentBasedOnDeterminationOfProvedReserves
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration