Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets 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 Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income taxes expense Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Loss before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Negative effective tax rate (percent) Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] Total Operations Operating Segments [Member] Corporate Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Segment 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. Information by Financial Statement Line Item [Axis] Income Statement Location [Axis] Financial Statement Line Items with Differences in Reported Amount and Reporting Currency Denominated Amounts [Domain] Income Statement Location [Domain] Interest expense, net Interest Expense [Member] Impairment and restructuring charges Restructuring Charges [Member] Merger and related costs Acquisition-related Costs [Member] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Summarized financial information [Abstract] Segment Reporting Information, Income (Loss) before Income Taxes [Abstract] Revenue Revenue, Net Operating Profit (Loss) Before Tax Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract] Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table] Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table] Restructuring Plan [Axis] Restructuring Plan [Axis] Restructuring Plan [Domain] Restructuring Plan [Domain] Global Cost Reduction and Restructuring Global Cost Reduction and Restructuring [Member] Global Cost Reduction and Restructuring [Member] 2017 Oilfield Restructuring Oilfield Restructuring Plan [Member] Oilfield Restructuring Plan [Member] Restructuring Type [Axis] Restructuring Type [Axis] Type of Restructuring [Domain] Type of Restructuring [Domain] Workforce Reduction Employee Severance [Member] Other Charges Other Restructuring [Member] Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] Total restructuring charges Restructuring Charges 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] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] 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 Attributable to Parent [Member] Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax Deferred taxes Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax Ending Balance Accounting Policies [Abstract] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] Equity Method Investment Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block] Inventory, Net [Abstract] Inventories, net of reserves Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block] Restructuring and Related Costs Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block] Inventory 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 Inventory, Net Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Financial Instruments Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Segment Information Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table] Investment, Name [Axis] Investment, Name [Axis] Investment, Name [Domain] Investment, Name [Domain] BJ Services, LLC BJ Services, LLC [Member] BJ Services, LLC [Member] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] Interest acquired in BJ Services (percent) Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Revenue Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Revenue Gross profit (loss) Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Gross Profit (Loss) Net loss Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income (Loss) Net loss attributable to Baker Hughes Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Estimated fair value of debt Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure Carrying amount of debt Long-term Debt Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate 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 Impairment and restructuring charges Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges Merger and related costs Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs Total costs and expenses Costs and Expenses Operating loss Operating Income (Loss) Interest expense, net Interest Expense Loss before income tax and equity in loss of affiliate Equity in loss of affiliate Income tax provision Net loss Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 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 (In dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Cash dividends per share (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] 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 Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member] Customer relationships Customer Relationships [Member] Trade names Trade Names [Member] Other Other Intangible Assets [Member] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] 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 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic and diluted loss per share (shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic 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 Stock Compensation Plan [Member] Future potentially dilutive shares excluded from diluted loss per share 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] Anti-dilutive shares excluded from diluted loss per share (shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Net loss Other comprehensive income (loss): Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Foreign currency translation adjustments 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) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax 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 Restructuring and Other Charges Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [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 (2017 - $396; 2016 - $509) Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Inventories, net Other current assets Other Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Current Property, plant and equipment - less accumulated depreciation (2017 - $6,574; 2016 - $6,567) 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, one dollar par value (shares authorized - 750; issued and outstanding: 2017 - 426; 2016 - 424) 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 Total liabilities and equity Liabilities and Equity Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract] Employee Benefits Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [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] 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) Net periodic cost Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost Inventories Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Geographic Distribution [Axis] Geographic Distribution [Axis] Geographic Distribution [Domain] Geographic Distribution [Domain] Russia Caspian Russia Caspian [Member] Russia Caspian Asia Pacific Asia Pacific [Member] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Machinery and Equipment Machinery and Equipment [Member] Contract Termination Contract Termination [Member] Segments [Domain] Impairment charges Asset Impairment Charges Initial carrying value of machinery and equipment Impairment of machinery and equipment Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use Initial carrying value of intangible assets Impairment of intangible assets Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived Weighted average cost of capital (percent) Fair Value Assumptions, Weighted Average Cost of Capital Fair Value Assumptions, Weighted Average Cost of Capital Expected number of positions to be eliminated Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Number of Positions Eliminated Total number of positions eliminated to-date Restructuring and Related Cost, Number of Positions Eliminated, Inception to Date Payments for restructuring Payments for Restructuring Restructuring reserve Restructuring Reserve Restructuring charges 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 Natural Gas Storage System in Northern Germany [Member] Natural Gas Storage System in Northern Germany [Member] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Value of alleged damages sought Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value Marginal rate on annual prime rate (percent) Alleged damages by customer - interest rate Alleged damages by customer - interest rate Off-balance sheet arrangements Fair Value Disclosure, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Face Amount, Liability Business Combinations [Abstract] General Electric Transaction Agreement Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Summarized financial information Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Schedule of Net Periodic Costs Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block] Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Scenario [Axis] Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Expected Scenario, Forecast [Member] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] GE Transaction Agreement GE Transaction Agreement [Member] GE Transaction Agreement Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] General Electric Company General Electric Company [Member] General Electric Company Bear Newco Inc. Bear Newco Inc. [Member] Bear Newco Inc. Baker Hughes Incorporated Baker Hughes Incorporated [Member] Baker Hughes Incorporated Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Common Class A Common Class A [Member] Common Class B Common Class B [Member] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Cash payment to acquire interest in Newco LLC Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross Approximate interest to be acquired (percent) Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired Special dividend to be distributed (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Percentage of Newco common stock to be held (percent) Business Acquisition, Percentage of Common Stock Acquired Business Acquisition, Percentage of Common Stock Acquired Divestiture limit Business Acquisition, Revenue Divestiture Threshold Limit, Exclusion of Specified Businesses Business Acquisition, Revenue Divestiture Threshold Limit, Exclusion of Specified Businesses Termination fee Merger Termination Fee Maximum Acquiree Merger Termination Fee Maximum Acquiree Reimbursements threshold (up to) Business Combination Merger Termination Fee Business Combination Merger Termination Fee Termination fee Merger Termination Fee Maximum Merger termination fee maximum Transaction related costs 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 Provision 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 Other operating items, net Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Net cash flows used in 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 Net cash flows provided by (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 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 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 Receipt of bonds for outstanding accounts receivable Notes Assumed Allowance for doubtful accounts Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Common stock par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock authorized (shares) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock issued (shares) Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock outstanding (shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] 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 Treasury Stock Treasury Stock [Member] Non-controlling Interests Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract] Comprehensive loss: Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Other comprehensive income Activity related to stock plans Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues 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) Basis of Presentation Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] New Accounting Standards New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Range [Axis] Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Range [Domain] Minimum Minimum [Member] Maximum Maximum [Member] Estimated useful lives Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life Amortization expense for intangible assets included in net income Amortization of Intangible Assets Remainder of 2017 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Remainder of Fiscal Year 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 2022 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, after Year Five Equity Method Investment Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block] Reconciliation of Weighted Average Number of Shares Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block]