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 before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest 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 Profit (Loss) Before Taxes 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