Property, Plant and Equipment - Net Changes in Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Beginning Balance	$ 2,259
Additions to capitalized exploratory well costs pending the determination of proved reserves	183
Reclassifications to wells, facilities and equipment based on the determination of proved reserves	(69)
Capitalized exploratory well costs charged to expense	(7)
Dispositions and other	(78)
Ending Balance	$ 2,288

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

No definition available.

Name:	hes_DispositionsAndOther
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 Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 932

-SubTopic 235

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1B

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=8451039&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 Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 932

-SubTopic 235

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1B

-Subparagraph (a)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=8451039&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 Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 932

-SubTopic 235

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1B

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=8451039&loc=SL6806780-109447

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAbstract
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 Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 932

-SubTopic 235

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1B

-Subparagraph (a)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=8451039&loc=SL6806780-109447

+ Details

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