Foreign Currency [Abstract] Venezuelan Currency Devaluation Foreign Currency Disclosure [Text Block] SIMADI Exchange Rate SIMADI Exchange Rate SIMADI Exchange Rate - Venezuela 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 Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract] Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block] Restructuring and Related Costs [Table 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] 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] Corporate and other Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] Interest expense, net Interest Expense [Member] Restructuring Charges [Member] Restructuring Charges [Member] Settled Litigation [Member] Settled Litigation [Member] Statement, Business Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Segment Segments [Domain] 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] 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 Profit (Loss) Before Taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Restructuring charges Restructuring Charges Business Combinations [Abstract] Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions Disclosures [Text Block] Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions Disclosures [Text Block] Baker Hughes to Halliburton share exchange ratio Baker Hughes to Halliburton share exchange ratio Baker Hughes to Halliburton share exchange ratio Cash consideration per share from Halliburton Cash consideration per share from Halliburton Cash consideration per share from Halliburton Revenue divestiture threshold Revenue divestiture threshold Revenue divestiture threshold Halliburton merger termination fee maximum Halliburton merger termination fee maximum Halliburton merger termination fee maximum Payments for Merger Related Costs Payments for Merger Related Costs Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract] 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] In Process Research and Development [Member] In Process Research and Development [Member] 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] Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) Document Period End Date Document Period End Date 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 Employee Benefits Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Allowance for doubtful accounts Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges Income tax benefit, Amount related to Restructuring Income tax benefit, Amount related to Restructuring Income tax benefit, Amount related to Restructuring Accounting Policies [Abstract] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] 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 Litigation settlements Litigation Settlement, Expense Litigation Settlement, Amount Litigation Settlement, Amount 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 Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Cash dividends per share Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid Rig Count Reduction %-North America Rig Count Reduction-North America Rig Count Reduction %-North America Severance Costs Severance Costs Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements and Curtailments Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements and Curtailments Total Positions Eliminated Restructuring and Related Cost, Number of Positions Eliminated, Inception to Date Remaining Positions to be Eliminated Remaining Positions to be Eliminated Remaining Positions to be Eliminated as of period end date Payments for Restructuring Payments for Restructuring Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease) Restructuring Reserve, Severance Restructuring Reserve, Severance Payments for Restructuring-Expected Q2 Minimum Payments for Restructuring-Expected Q2 Payments for Restructuring-Expected Q2 Payments for Restructuring-Expected Q2 Maximum Payments for Restructuring-Expected Q2 Maximum Payments for Restructuring-Expected Q2 Maximum Loss on Contract Termination Loss on Contract Termination Prepayments Write-Off Prepayments Write-Off Prepayments Write-Off Payments for Contract Terminations-Expected Q2 Payments for Contract Terminations-Expected Q2 Payments for Contract Terminations-Expected Q2 Asset Impairment Charges-Buildings & Improvements Asset Impairment Charges-Buildings & Improvements Asset Impairment Charges-Buildings & Improvements Number of Facilities Impaired Number of Facilities Impaired Number of Facilities Impaired Asset Impairment Charges-Machinery & Equipment Asset Impairment Charges-Machinery & Equipment Asset Impairment Charges-Machinery & Equipment Restructuring Costs Restructuring Costs Total Expected Positions to be Eliminated Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Number of Positions Eliminated Total Positions to be Eliminated-North America Percent Total Positions to be Eliminated-North America Percent Total Positions to be Eliminated-North America Percent Inventory Write-down Inventory Write-down 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 Disposal Cost Inventory Disposal Cost Inventory Disposal Cost 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 of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Net (loss) income Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Other comprehensive (loss) income: 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 loss Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Comprehensive (loss) income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Baker Hughes Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Segment Reporting Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [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] 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 (2015 - $325; 2014 - $224) 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 (2015 - $8,431; 2014 - $8,215) 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 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 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 Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Financial Instruments Fair Value Disclosures [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 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Treasury Stock [Member] 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] 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 Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Net activity related to noncontrolling interests Noncontrolling Interest, Period Increase (Decrease) Balance Summarized financial information Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table 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 anti-dilutive shares excluded from diluted EPS Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Future potentially dilutive shares excluded from diluted EPS Earnings Per Share, Potentially Dilutive Securities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Statement [Table] Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Beginning Balance Other comprehensive income (loss) 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 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Reconciliation of Weighted Average Number of Shares Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block] Inventory, Net [Abstract] 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 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 Total costs and expenses Costs and Expenses Operating (loss) income Operating Income (Loss) Interest expense, net Interest Expense (Loss) income before income taxes Income taxes Net (loss) income Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net (loss) income attributable to Baker Hughes Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Basic (loss) earnings per share attributable to Baker Hughes Earnings Per Share, Basic Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to Baker Hughes Earnings Per Share, Diluted Inventories Inventory Disclosure [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] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Net (loss) income Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) 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 Impairment of assets Asset Impairment Charges 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 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 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) proceeds 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 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 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 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 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. In Process Research and Development 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 Inventories, net of reserves Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block] Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Debt, fair value Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure Debt, Long-term and Short-term, Combined Amount Debt, Long-term and Short-term, Combined Amount Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] 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 Other Defined Benefit Plan, Other Costs Net periodic cost Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost Intangible Assets Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]