Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]
Foreign Currency [Abstract]
Venezuelan Currency Devaluation
Foreign Currency Disclosure [Text Block]
Intangible Assets
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic EPS
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic
Adjustment for effect of dilutive securities - stock plans
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements
Weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted EPS
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted
Future potentially dilutive shares excluded from diluted EPS:
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Other Disclosures [Abstract]
Options with an exercise price greater than the average market price for the period
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Cash dividends per share
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Axis]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Axis]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Domain]
Defined Benefit Plan and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Domain]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
ASSETS
Assets [Abstract]
Current assets:
Assets, Current [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value
Accounts receivable - less allowance for doubtful accounts (2014 - $215; 2013 - $238)
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current
Inventories, net
Inventory, Net
Deferred income taxes
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Current
Other current assets
Other Assets, Current
Total current assets
Assets, Current
Property, plant and equipment - less accumulated depreciation (2014 - $7,815; 2013 - $7,219)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Goodwill
Goodwill
Intangible assets, net
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)
Other assets
Other Assets, Noncurrent
Total assets
Assets
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]
Current liabilities:
Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Accounts payable
Accounts Payable, Current
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt
Short-term Debt
Accrued employee compensation
Employee-related Liabilities, Current
Income taxes payable
Accrued Income Taxes, Current
Other accrued liabilities
Other Accrued Liabilities, Current
Total current liabilities
Liabilities, Current
Long-term debt
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities
Deferred income taxes and other tax liabilities
Deferred Income Taxes and Other Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent
Liabilities for pensions and other postretirement benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities, Noncurrent
Other liabilities
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent
Commitments and contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies
Equity:
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Common stock
Common Stock, Value, Issued
Capital in excess of par value
Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock
Retained earnings
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax
Baker Hughes stockholders’ equity
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent
Noncontrolling interests
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Total equity
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Total liabilities and equity
Liabilities and Equity
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial Instruments
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]
Preexisting Currency Exchange Rate
Preexisting Currency Exchange Rate
Preexisting Currency Exchange Rate
New Currency Exchange Rate
New Currency Exchange Rate
New Currency Exchange Rate
SICAD 2 Exchange Rate
SICAD 2 Exchange Rate
SICAD 2 Exchange Rate
Foreign Currency Transaction Loss, before Tax
Foreign Currency Transaction Loss, before Tax
Debt, fair value
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure
Debt, carrying amount
Debt Instrument, Face Amount
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]
Nature of Operations
Nature of Operations [Text Block]
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Accounting [Text Block]
New Accounting Standards Updates
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table]
Statement, Business Segments [Axis]
Segments [Axis]
Segment
Segments [Domain]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Summarized financial information
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Inventories, net of reserves
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments during the period
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax
Pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax
Hedge transactions, net of tax
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax
Comprehensive income
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Comprehensive income attributable to Baker Hughes
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent
Inventories
Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue:
Revenues [Abstract]
Sales
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net
Services
Sales Revenue, Services, Net
Total revenue
Revenue, Net
Costs and expenses:
Costs and Expenses [Abstract]
Cost of sales
Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of services
Cost of Services
Research and engineering
Research and Development Expense
Marketing, general and administrative
Selling, General and Administrative Expense
Litigation settlements
Litigation Settlement, Expense
Total costs and expenses
Costs and Expenses
Operating income
Operating Income (Loss)
Interest expense, net
Interest Expense
Income taxes
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Net income
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net income attributable to Baker Hughes
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent
Basic earnings per share attributable to Baker Hughes
Earnings Per Share, Basic
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Baker Hughes
Earnings Per Share, Diluted
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current
Accumulated depreciation
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Other noncash items
Other Noncash Income (Expense)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract]
Accounts receivable
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable
Inventories
Increase (Decrease) in Inventories
Accounts payable
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Trade
Other operating items, net
Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net
Net cash flows provided by operating activities
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract]
Expenditures for capital assets
Payments to Acquire Productive Assets
Proceeds from disposal of assets
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment
Other investing items, net
Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities
Net cash flows used in investing activities
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract]
Net proceeds (repayments) of commercial paper borrowings and other debt with original maturity of three months or less
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Short-term Debt, Maturing in Three Months or Less
Net (repayments) proceeds of short-term debt with original maturity greater than three months
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Short-term Debt, Maturing in More than Three Months
Repurchase of common stock
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock
Dividends paid
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock
Other financing items, net
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities
Net cash flows used in financing activities
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
Supplemental cash flows disclosures:
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Income taxes paid, net of refunds
Income Taxes Paid, Net
Interest paid
Interest Paid
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing activities:
Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable
Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Reminder of 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Remainder of Fiscal Year
2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months
2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two
2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three
2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four
2019
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five
Statement [Table]
Statement [Table]
Statement, Equity Components [Axis]
Equity Components [Axis]
Equity Component [Domain]
Equity Component [Domain]
Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, before Tax
Deferred taxes
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax
Ending Balance
Common Stock
Common Stock [Member]
Capital in Excess of Par Value
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Retained Earnings
Retained Earnings [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Non-controlling Interests
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Statement [Line Items]
Comprehensive income:
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Balance
Comprehensive income:
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Net income
Other comprehensive loss
Activity related to stock plans
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues
Repurchase and retirement of common stock
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value
Stock-based compensation
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition
Cash dividends ($0.30 per share)
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash
Net activity related to noncontrolling interests
Noncontrolling Interest, Period Increase (Decrease)
Balance
Earnings Per Share
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document and entity information.
Entity Registrant Name
Entity Registrant Name
Entity Central Index Key
Entity Central Index Key
Current Fiscal Year End Date
Current Fiscal Year End Date
Entity Filer Category
Entity Filer Category
Document Type
Document Type
Document Period End Date
Document Period End Date
Document Fiscal Year Focus
Document Fiscal Year Focus
Document Fiscal Period Focus
Document Fiscal Period Focus
Amendment Flag
Amendment Flag
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding
Reconciliation of Weighted Average Number of Shares
Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block]
Finished goods
Inventory, Finished Goods, Net of Reserves
Work in process
Inventory, Work in Process, Net of Reserves
Raw materials
Inventory, Raw Materials, Net of Reserves
Total inventories
U.S. Pension Benefits
United States Pension Plan of US Entity [Member]
Non-U.S. Pension Benefits
Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Other Postretirement Benefits
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Service cost
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost
Interest cost
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost
Expected return on plan assets
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets
Amortization of prior service credit
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)
Amortization of net actuarial loss
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)
Other
Defined Benefit Plan, Other Costs
Net periodic cost
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Consolidation Items [Axis]
Consolidation Items [Axis]
Consolidation Items [Domain]
Consolidation Items [Domain]
Corporate and other
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Interest expense, net
Interest Expense [Member]
Litigation settlements
Settled Litigation [Member]
North America
North America [Member]
Latin America
Latin America [Member]
Europe/Africa/Russia Caspian
Europe/Africa/Russia Caspin [Member]
Europe/Africa/Russia Caspin [Member]
Middle East/Asia Pacific
Middle East/Asia Pacific [Member]
Middle East/Asia Pacific [Member]
Industrial Services
Industrial Services [Member]
Industrial Services [Member] - consists primarily of our downstream refining, and process and pipeline services businesses.
Total Operations
Operating Segments [Member]
Summarized financial information [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Information, Income (Loss) before Income Taxes [Abstract]
Revenue
Schedule of Finite-Lived And Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table]
Schedule of Finite-Lived And Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table]
Disclosure of the carrying value and related amortization of intangibles assets, in total and by major class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Axis]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Axis]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain]
In Process Research and Development
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain]
Technology-Based Intangible Assets
Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member]
Customer Relationships
Customer Relationships [Member]
Trade Names
Trade Names [Member]
Other Intangible Assets
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Schedule of Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Schedule of Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Schedule of Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table]
Range [Axis]
Range [Axis]
Range [Domain]
Range [Domain]
Minimum
Minimum [Member]
Maximum
Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life
Amortization expense for intangible assets included in net income
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Off-balance sheet arrangements related to letters of credit and other bank issued guarantees, total
Fair Value Disclosure, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Face Amount, Liability