Basis of presentation and principles of consolidation.

No definition available.

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

- Definition

Number of exploration projects in which the entity has participating interest.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hes_NumberOfExplorationProjectsInWhichEntityHasParticipatingInterest
Namespace Prefix:	hes_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage of actuarial gains and losses in excess of greater of benefit obligation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hes_PercentageOfActuarialGainsAndLossesInExcessOfGreaterOfBenefitObligation
Namespace Prefix:	hes_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of voting interest owned in consolidated entities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hes_PercentageOfVotingInterestOwnedInConsolidatedEntities
Namespace Prefix:	hes_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of participation interest in exploration project.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hes_ProjectParticipationInterestPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	hes_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) to equity or (increase) decrease to net assets, resulting from the cumulative effect adjustment of a new accounting principle applied in the period of adoption.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the liability for remediation, site restoration, postclosure, monitoring commitments, or other exit costs associated with the sale, disposal or abandonment of a particular property resulting from unanticipated contamination of the assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.Y.Q4)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011672&loc=d3e149879-122751

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EnvironmentalExitCostsCostsAccruedToDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114001798&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77989000&loc=SL49117168-202975

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99380562&loc=d3e13770-109266

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents the quantification of the effect of adopting the new accounting standard or change in accounting principle expected by the entity to have a significant effect on the entity's financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of the effect of a change in accounting principle on operating profit or loss.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22583-107794

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22499-107794

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22580-107794

+ Details

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

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Percentage of the Variable Interest Entity's (VIE) voting interest owned by (or beneficial interest in) the reporting entity (directly or indirectly).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5A
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=108788376&loc=SL6759159-111685

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis=us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201707Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis=hes_AccountingStandardsUpdate201802Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis=us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_OwnershipAxis=hes_HessInfrastructurePartnersLPMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=hes_AffiliatedCompaniesMember
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_CapitalizedCostsOfUnprovedPropertiesExcludedFromAmortizationByPropertyOrProjectAxis=hes_StabroekBlockMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) Project	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2018 USD ($)
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation [Abstract]
Number of exploration projects in which the entity has participating interest \| Project		12
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Reclassification of net expense to other, net from operating costs and expenses, and general and administrative expenses			$ 14	$ 5
Cumulative effect of hedging ineffectiveness			0	(37)
Goodwill		$ 360	360
Environmental Property Sale, Disposal or Abandonment Costs [Abstract]
Reserve for estimated remediation liabilities		80
Midstream
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Goodwill		360
Retained Earnings
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Cumulative effect of hedging ineffectiveness			101	(39)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Cumulative effect of hedging ineffectiveness			$ (101)	$ 0
ASU 2017-12 \| Retained Earnings
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Cumulative effect of hedging ineffectiveness		1
ASU 2017-12 \| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Cumulative effect of hedging ineffectiveness		(1)
Adoption of ASU 2018-02 \| Retained Earnings
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Cumulative effect of hedging ineffectiveness					$ 100
Adoption of ASU 2018-02 \| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Cumulative effect of hedging ineffectiveness					$ (100)
ASC 842
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Operating and finance lease obligations		$ 390
ASC 842 \| Subsequent Event
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Operating and finance lease obligations	$ 1,200
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary \| Hess Infrastructure Partners LP (HIP)
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation [Abstract]
Variable interest in Hess Infrastructure Partners LP (HIP)		50.00%
Minimum
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation [Abstract]
Percentage of voting interest owned in entities consolidated in the financial statements		50.00%
Minimum \| Affiliated Companies
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation [Abstract]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		20.00%
Maximum
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan [Abstract]
Percentage of actuarial gains and losses in excess of greater of benefit obligation		10.00%
Maximum \| Affiliated Companies
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation [Abstract]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		50.00%
Stabroek Block
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation [Abstract]
Project participation interest percentage		30.00%