Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Schedule of Goodwill [Table] Schedule of Goodwill [Table] Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Segments Segments [Domain] North America North America [Member] Latin America Latin America [Member] Europe/Africa/Russia Caspian Europe/Africa/Russia Caspian [Member] Europe/Africa/Russia Caspian [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 Total [Member] Total [Member] Goodwill [Line Items] Goodwill [Line Items] Goodwill at December 31, 2015 Goodwill Goodwill impairment Goodwill, Impairment Loss Goodwill, Translation Adjustments Goodwill, Translation Adjustments Goodwill at June 30, 2016 Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event [Member] Subsequent Event [Member] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument Debt Instrument [Line Items] Total debt, fair value Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure Total debt Debt, Long-term and Short-term, Combined Amount Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount Debt Instrument, Purchase Premium Debt Instrument, Purchase Premium Debt Instrument, Purchase Premium Loss on early extinguishment of debt Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt Line of Credit Facility Line of Credit Facility [Abstract] Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Subsequent Event, Date Subsequent Event, Date Maximum maturity of commercial paper issued Maximum maturity of commercial paper issued Maximum maturity of commercial paper issued. Commercial Paper Commercial Paper Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding Long-term Line of Credit Accounting Policies [Abstract] 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] 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] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [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 Schedule of Debt - Net of Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Cost Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Reconciliation of Weighted Average Number of Shares Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Segment Information Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Business Combinations [Abstract] Halliburton Merger Agreement Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions Disclosures [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 (2016 - $573; 2015 - $383) 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 (2016 - $7,269; 2015 - $7,378) Property, Plant and Equipment, Net 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 Treasury stock Treasury Stock, Value 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 Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Loss Contingencies [Table] Loss Contingencies [Table] Litigation Case [Axis] Litigation Case [Axis] Litigation Case [Domain] Litigation Case [Domain] Natural Gas Storage System in Northern Germany [Member] Natural Gas Storage System in Northern Germany [Member] Natural Gas Storage System in Northern Germany [Member] Construction and Engineering Contract in Europe [Member] Construction and Engineering Contract in Europe [Member] Construction and Engineering Contract in Europe [Member] Chieftain Sand and Proppant Barron Arbitration [Member] Chieftain Sand and Proppant Barron Arbitration [Member] Chieftain Sand and Proppant Barron Arbitration [Member] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Claims amount for terminated contract Claims amount for terminated contract Additional claims amount for terminated contract Additional claim amount for terminated contract Additional claim amount for terminated contract Additional claim amount for terminated contract Breach of contract counter suit amount Breach of contract counter suit amount Breach of contract counter suit amount Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, interest rate Alleged damages by customer - interest rate Alleged damages by customer - interest rate Fair Value Disclosure, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Face Amount, Liability Fair Value Disclosure, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Face Amount, Liability Range [Axis] Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Range [Domain] Minimum Minimum [Member] Maximum Maximum [Member] Pension Plan [Member] Pension Plan [Member] 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) Curtailment gain Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements and Curtailments Other Defined Benefit Plan, Other Costs Net periodic cost Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized Defined Contribution Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year Defined Contribution Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year Defined Contribution Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract] Restructuring and Related Costs Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Cash dividends per share Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Financial Instruments Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table] Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table] Geographical [Axis] Geographical [Axis] Geographical [Domain] Geographical [Domain] Middle East [Member] Middle East [Member] Asia Pacific [Member] Asia Pacific [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] Customer Relationships and Trade Names [Member] Customer Relationships and Technology [Member] Customer Relationships and Technology [Member] Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used by Type [Axis] Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used by Type [Axis] Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used, Asset Name [Domain] Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used, Asset Name [Domain] Machinery and Equipment Machinery and Equipment [Member] Restructuring Type [Axis] Restructuring Type [Axis] Type of Restructuring [Domain] Type of Restructuring [Domain] Workforce reductions Workforce reductions [Member] Workforce reductions [Member] Contract terminations Contract Termination [Member] Impairment of buildings and improvements Impairment of buildings and improvement [Member] Impairment of buildings and improvement [Member] Impairment of machinery and equipment Impairment of machinery and equipment [Member] Impairment of machinery and equipment [Member] Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] Carrying Amount of Impaired Long-Lived Assets, Held-for-use Carrying Amount of Impaired Long-Lived Assets, Held-for-use Carrying Amount of Impaired Long-Lived Assets, Held-for-use Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use Carrying Amount of Intangible Assets, Finite-Lived Carrying Amount of Intangible Assets, Finite-Lived Carrying Amount of Intangible Assets, Finite-Lived Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived Combined Long-Lived and Intangible Asset Impairment Charges Combined Long-Lived and Intangible Asset Impairment Charges Combined Long-Lived and Intangible Asset Charges Fair Value Assumptions, Weighted Average Cost of Capital Fair Value Assumptions, Weighted Average Cost of Capital Fair Value Assumptions, Weighted Average Cost of Capital Severance Costs Severance Costs Other Restructuring Costs Other Restructuring Costs Restructuring Costs Restructuring Costs Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Number of Positions Eliminated Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Number of Positions Eliminated Restructuring Reserve, Severance Restructuring Reserve, Severance Restructuring Reserve, Severance Payments for Restructuring Payments for Restructuring Restructuring reserve, contract termination Restructuring reserve, contract termination Restructuring reserve, contract termination Inventory Write-down and Disposal Cost Charge Inventory Write-down and Disposal Cost Charge Inventory Write-down and Disposal Cost Charge inventory disposal costs inventory disposal costs inventory disposal costs Inventory Write Down-Cost of Sales Inventory Write Down-Cost of Sales Inventory Write Down-Cost of Sales Inventory Write Down-Cost of Services Inventory Write Down-Cost of Services Inventory Write Down-Cost of Services Inventory write-down Inventory Write-down Loss on firm purchase commitment Loss on firm purchase commitment Loss on firm purchase commitment Halliburton merger termination fee maximum Halliburton merger termination fee maximum Halliburton merger termination fee maximum Merger and related costs Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Statement [Table] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] 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 AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Treasury Stock Treasury Stock [Member] Non-controlling Interests Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Comprehensive loss: Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract] Balance Comprehensive loss: Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Net loss Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Other comprehensive income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax 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 Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Net activity related to noncontrolling interests Noncontrolling Interest, Period Increase (Decrease) Balance Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Allowance for doubtful accounts Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Inventory, Net [Abstract] Inventories, net of reserves Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block] 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. Customer Relationships and Trade Names Customer Relationships and Trade Names [Member] Customer Relationships and Trade Names [Member] 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 6.0% Notes due June 2018 6.0% Notes due June 2018 with effective interest rate of 6.29% [Member] 6.0% Notes due June 2018 with effective interest rate of 6.29% 7.5% Senior Notes due November 2018 7.5% Senior Notes due November 2018 with an effective interest rate of 7.61% [Member] 7.5% Senior Notes due November 2018 with an effective interest rate of 7.61% 3.2% Senior Notes due August 2021 3.2% Senior Notes due August 2021 with an effective interest rate of 3.32% [Member] 3.2% Senior Notes due August 2021 with an effective interest rate of 3.32% 8.55% Debentures due June 2024 8.55% Debentures due June 2024 with an effective interest rate of 8.76% [Member] 8.55% Debentures due June 2024 with an effective interest rate of 8.76% 6.875% Notes due January 2029 6.875% Notes due January 2029 with an effective interest rate of 7.08% [Member] 6.875% Notes due January 2029 with an effective interest rate of 7.08% 5.125% Notes due September 2040 5.125% Notes due September 2040 with an effective interest rate of 5.22% [Member] 5.125% Notes due September 2040 with an effective interest rate of 5.22% Other debt Other Debt Obligations [Member] Total debt Less: short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt Debt, Current Total long-term debt Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Schedule of Goodwill Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block] 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] Income taxes (benefit) Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Goodwill impairment Income Tax Benefit on Goodwill Impairment Income Tax Benefit on Goodwill Impairment Income Tax Benefit on Goodwill Impairment Impairment and restructuring charges Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges Income Tax Benefit on Impairments and Inventory Write-offs Income Tax Benefit on Impairments and Inventory Write-offs Income Tax Benefit on Impairments and Inventory Write-offs Valuation Allowance, U.S. Federal Tax Credit Carryforwards, Increase (Decrease), Amount Valuation Allowance, U.S. Federal Tax Credit Carryforwards, Increase (Decrease), Amount Valuation Allowance, U.S. Federal Tax Credit Carryforwards, Increase (Decrease), Amount Merger termination fee Baker Hughes merger termination fee Baker Hughes merger termination fee Current Income Taxes Receivable Current Income Taxes Receivable Current Income Taxes Receivable Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Remainder of 2016 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Remainder of Fiscal Year 2017 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months 2018 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two 2019 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three 2020 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four 2021 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Net loss Adjustments to reconcile net loss 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 Impairment of assets Asset Impairment Charges Loss on early extinguishment of debt Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Provision for doubtful accounts Provision for Doubtful Accounts 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 Income taxes payable Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable 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 Proceeds from maturities of investment securities Proceeds from Sale, Maturity and Collection of Short-term Investments Purchases of investment securities Payments to Acquire Investments Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired 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 repayments of short-term debt and other borrowings Proceeds from (Repayments of) Short-term Debt, Maturing in Three Months or Less Repayments of short-term debt with original maturity greater than three months Proceeds from (Repayments of) Short-term Debt, Maturing in More than Three Months Proceeds from short-term debt with original maturity greater than three months Proceeds from Short-term Debt, Maturing in More than Three Months Repayment of long-term debt Repayments of Long-term Debt 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 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 Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Anti-dilutive shares excluded from diluted loss per share (1) Stock Compensation Plan [Member] Future potentially dilutive shares excluded from diluted loss per share (2) Employee Stock Option [Member] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic and diluted loss per share 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 Anti-dilutive shares excluded from diluted loss per share (1) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Earnings Per Share, Potentially Dilutive Securities Earnings Per Share, Potentially Dilutive Securities Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] 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] Minimum Maximum 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 Statement [Table] Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Beginning Balance Other comprehensive income before reclassifications Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax Deferred taxes Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax Ending Balance Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Statement, Business Segments [Axis] Segment North America Latin America Total Operations Operating Segments [Member] Shared assets Shared assets [Member] Shared assets [Member] Continuing Operations Continuing Operations [Member] Information by Financial Statement Line Item [Axis] Information by Financial Statement Line Item [Axis] Financial Statement Line Items with Differences in Reported Amount and Reporting Currency Denominated Amounts [Domain] Financial Statement Line Items with Differences in Reported Amount and Reporting Currency Denominated Amounts [Domain] Corporate Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] Loss on early extinguishment of debt Loss on early extinguishment of debt [Member] Loss on early extinguishment of debt [Member] Interest expense, net Interest Expense [Member] Impairment and restructuring charges Restructuring Charges [Member] Goodwill Goodwill [Member] Merger and related costs Acquisition-related Costs [Member] Merger termination fee Merger termination fee [Member] Merger termination fee [Member] Litigation settlements Settled Litigation [Member] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Assets Summarized financial information [Abstract] Segment Reporting Information, Income (Loss) before Income Taxes [Abstract] Revenue Revenue, Net Operating Profit (Loss) Before Tax Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Income Statement [Abstract] Revenue: Revenues [Abstract] Sales Sales Revenue, Goods, Net Services Sales Revenue, Services, Net Total revenue 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 Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement Total costs and expenses Costs and Expenses Operating loss Operating Income (Loss) Interest expense, net Interest Expense Loss before income taxes Income taxes Net loss Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net loss attributable to Baker Hughes Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Basic and diluted loss per share attributable to Baker Hughes Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] 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 Other comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive loss Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive loss attributable to Baker Hughes Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Inventories Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Indebtedness Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Employee Benefits Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Restructuring and Other Charges Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Building and Building Improvements Building and Building Improvements [Member] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Impairment of Plant, Property and Equipment Impairment of Plant, Property and Equipment Impairment of Plant, Property and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life Land Land Buildings and Improvements, Gross Buildings and Improvements, Gross Machinery and Equipment, Gross Machinery and Equipment, Gross Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Inventory Valuation Reserves Inventory Valuation Reserves 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 Existing reserves on inventory write off Existing reserves on inventory write off Existing reserves on inventory write off Summarized financial information Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block] Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block]