| **Segment Information - Schedule of summarized financial information for CAPEX and DD&A (Details) (USD $)In Millions, unless otherwise specified** | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                     |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
||
| **Segment Reporting Information**                                                                                                                      |                                                                                                                                |   |   |
| Expenditures for capital assets                                                                                                                        | $ 1,791us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets                                                                                    | $ 2,085us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets | $ 2,910us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets |
| Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization                                                                                                               | 1,814us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization                                                                                   | 1,698us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization | 1,568us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization |
| North America                                                                                                                                          |                                                                                                                                |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information**                                                                                                                      |                                                                                                                                |   |   |
| Expenditures for capital assets                                                                                                                        | 465us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember                     | 718us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember | 1,333us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember |
| Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization                                                                                                               | 842us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember                  | 814us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember | 750us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember |
| Latin America                                                                                                                                          |                                                                                                                                |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information**                                                                                                                      |                                                                                                                                |   |   |
| Expenditures for capital assets                                                                                                                        | 171us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember                     | 198us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember | 222us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember |
| Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization                                                                                                               | 220us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember                  | 235us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember | 225us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember |
| Europe/Africa/Russia Caspian                                                                                                                           |                                                                                                                                |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information**                                                                                                                      |                                                                                                                                |   |   |
| Expenditures for capital assets                                                                                                                        | 373us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_EuropeAfricaRussiaCaspianMember            | 429us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_EuropeAfricaRussiaCaspianMember | 371us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_EuropeAfricaRussiaCaspianMember |
| Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization                                                                                                               | 351us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_EuropeAfricaRussiaCaspianMember         | 302us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_EuropeAfricaRussiaCaspianMember | 267us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_EuropeAfricaRussiaCaspianMember |
| Middle East/Asia Pacific                                                                                                                               |                                                                                                                                |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information**                                                                                                                      |                                                                                                                                |   |   |
| Expenditures for capital assets                                                                                                                        | 385us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_MiddleEastAsiaPacificMember                | 365us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_MiddleEastAsiaPacificMember | 319us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_MiddleEastAsiaPacificMember |
| Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization                                                                                                               | 321us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_MiddleEastAsiaPacificMember             | 268us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_MiddleEastAsiaPacificMember | 224us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_MiddleEastAsiaPacificMember |
| Industrial Services                                                                                                                                    |                                                                                                                                |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information**                                                                                                                      |                                                                                                                                |   |   |
| Expenditures for capital assets                                                                                                                        | 46us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_IndustrialServicesMember                    | 53us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_IndustrialServicesMember | 40us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_IndustrialServicesMember |
| Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization                                                                                                               | 70us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_IndustrialServicesMember                 | 58us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_IndustrialServicesMember | 55us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_IndustrialServicesMember |
| Shared assets                                                                                                                                          |                                                                                                                                |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information**                                                                                                                      |                                                                                                                                |   |   |
| Expenditures for capital assets                                                                                                                        | 342us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_SharedassetsMember                         | 262us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_SharedassetsMember | 604us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_SharedassetsMember |
| Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization                                                                                                               | 0us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_SharedassetsMember                        | 0us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_SharedassetsMember | 0us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= bhi_SharedassetsMember |
| Total Operations                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information**                                                                                                                      |                                                                                                                                |   |   |
| Expenditures for capital assets                                                                                                                        | 1,782us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember    | 2,025us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember | 2,889us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember |
| Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization                                                                                                               | 1,804us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember | 1,677us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember | 1,521us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis= us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember |
| Corporate and other                                                                                                                                    |                                                                                                                                |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information**                                                                                                                      |                                                                                                                                |   |   |
| Expenditures for capital assets                                                                                                                        | 9us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember                         | 60us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | 21us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember |
| Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization                                                                                                               | $ 10us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember                   | $ 21us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | $ 47us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                        |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                      |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis=us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                 |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=bhi_EuropeAfricaRussiaCaspianMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                          |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=bhi_IndustrialServicesMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                             |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=bhi_MiddleEastAsiaPacificMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                    |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=bhi_SharedassetsMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                        |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                        |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                       |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |