| **Commitments and Contigencies - (Notes)**              | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  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| **Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]** |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                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| Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]   | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIESLEASESAt December 31, 2013, we had long-term non-cancelable operating leases covering certain facilities and equipment.  The minimum annual rental commitments, net of amounts due under subleases, for each of the five years in the period ending December 31, 2018 are $405 million, $258 million, $150 million, $84 million and $30 million, respectively, and $122 million in the aggregate thereafter.  Rent expense was $702 million, $559 million and $401 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  We have not entered into any significant capital leases during the three years ended December 31, 2013.LITIGATIONWe are subject to a number of lawsuits and claims arising out of the conduct of our business.  The ability to predict the ultimate outcome of such matters involves judgments, estimates and inherent uncertainties.  We record a liability for those contingencies where the incurrence of a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated, including accruals for self-insured losses which are calculated based on historical claim data, specific loss development factors and other information.  A range of total possible losses for all litigation matters cannot be reasonably estimated.  Based on a consideration of all relevant facts and circumstances, we do not expect the ultimate outcome of any currently pending lawsuits or claims against us will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows; however, there can be no assurance as to the ultimate outcome of these matters.We insure against risks arising from our business to the extent deemed prudent by our management and to the extent insurance is available, but no assurance can be given that the nature and amount of that insurance will be sufficient to fully indemnify us against liabilities arising out of pending or future legal proceedings or other claims.  Most of our insurance policies contain deductibles or self-insured retentions in amounts we deem prudent and for which we are responsible for payment.  In determining the amount of self-insurance, it is our policy to self-insure those losses that are predictable, measurable and recurring in nature, such as claims for automobile liability, general liability and workers compensation.On October 21, 2013, a collective action lawsuit alleging that we failed to pay an as-yet-undetermined class of workers overtime in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act was filed titled Zamora et al. v. Baker Hughes Incorporated, Civil Action No. 2:13-CV-00326, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Corpus Christi Division.  On October 10, 2013, a class and collective action lawsuit alleging that we failed to pay a nationwide class of workers overtime in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and certain state laws was filed titled Lea et al. v. Baker Hughes, Inc., Civil Action No. 3:13-CV-00447, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Galveston Division.  We are evaluating the background facts and at this time cannot provide an evaluation of the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome or potential settlement terms.On May 30, 2013, we received a Civil Investigative Demand ("CID") from the United States Department of Justice ("DOJ") pursuant to the Antitrust Civil Process Act.  The CID seeks documents and information from us for the period from May 29, 2011 through the date of the CID in connection with a DOJ investigation related to pressure pumping services in the United States.  We are working with the DOJ to provide the requested documents and information.  We are not able to predict what action, if any, might be taken in the future by the DOJ or other governmental authorities as a result of the investigation.On September 19, 2012, our subsidiary, Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations, Inc. (“BHOO”) terminated a sand supply agreement it had entered into with Hi-Crush Operating, LLC (“Hi-Crush”) on October 28, 2011 (as amended by the First Amendment to Supply Agreement on May 10, 2012, collectively the “Supply Agreement”) as a result of Hi-Crush's breach of the Supply Agreement.  On November 12, 2012, Hi-Crush filed a lawsuit against BHOO in the 129th Judicial District Court in Harris County, Texas., Cause No. 2012-67261; Hi-Crush Operating, LLC v. Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations, Inc.  In its petition, Hi-Crush claimed that BHOO's termination was “invalid” constituting a breach and that BHOO “anticipatorily repudiated the Supply Agreement without just excuse.”  Hi-Crush claimed that it was entitled to recover liquidated damages of $187 million based on the undelivered Minimum Purchase Requirement provision defined in the Supply Agreement; in the alternative, Hi-Crush sought an unspecified amount of actual damages.  On December 17, 2012, BHOO filed a responsive pleading denying Hi-Crush's allegations and also filed a counter claim for breach of contract.  On October 10, 2013, BHOO and Hi-Crush entered into a settlement agreement pursuant to which both parties agreed to jointly dismiss the above litigation.  In connection with this settlement agreement, the parties have entered into a new supply agreement.  The settlement agreement did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.We were among several unrelated companies who received a subpoena from the Office of the New York Attorney General, dated June 17, 2011.  The subpoena received by the Company seeks information and documents relating to, among other things, natural gas development and hydraulic fracturing.  We are discussing the subpoena with the New York Attorney General's office.ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERSOur past and present operations include activities which are subject to extensive domestic (including U.S. federal, state and local) and international environmental regulations with regard to air, land and water quality and other environmental matters.  Our environmental procedures, policies and practices are designed to ensure compliance with existing laws and regulations and to minimize the possibility of significant environmental damage.We are involved in voluntary remediation projects at some of our present and former manufacturing locations or other facilities, the majority of which relate to properties no longer actively used in operations.  On rare occasions, remediation activities are conducted as specified by a government agency-issued consent decree or agreed order.  Remediation costs are accrued based on estimates of probable exposure using currently available facts, existing environmental permits, technology and presently enacted laws and regulations.  Remediation cost estimates include direct costs related to the environmental investigation, external consulting activities, governmental oversight fees, treatment equipment and costs associated with long-term operation, maintenance and monitoring of a remediation project.We have also been identified as a potentially responsible party (“PRP”) in remedial activities related to various Superfund sites.  In these instances, we participate in the process set out in the Joint Participation and Defense Agreement to negotiate with government agencies, identify other PRPs, and determine each PRP’s allocation and estimate remediation costs.  We have accrued what we believe to be our pro-rata share of the total estimated cost of remediation and associated management of these Superfund sites.  This share is based upon the ratio that the estimated volume of waste we contributed to the site bears to the total estimated volume of waste disposed at the site.  Applicable U.S. federal law imposes joint and several liability on each PRP for the cleanup of these sites leaving us with the uncertainty that we may be responsible for the remediation cost attributable to other PRPs who are unable to pay their share.  No accrual has been made under the joint and several liability concept for those Superfund sites where our participation is de minimis since we believe that the probability that we will have to pay material costs above our volumetric share is remote.  We believe there are other PRPs who have greater involvement on a volumetric calculation basis, who have substantial assets and who may be reasonably expected to pay their share of the cost of remediation.  For those Superfund sites where we are a significant PRP, remediation costs are estimated to include recalcitrant parties.  In some cases, we have insurance coverage or contractual indemnities from third parties to cover a portion of the ultimate liability.Our total accrual for environmental remediation is $34 million and $32 million, which includes accruals of $4 million and $4 million for the various Superfund sites, at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The determination of the required accruals for remediation costs is subject to uncertainty, including the evolving nature of environmental regulations and the difficulty in estimating the extent and type of remediation activity that is necessary.OTHERIn the normal course of business with customers, vendors and others, we have entered into off-balance sheet arrangements, such as surety bonds for performance, letters of credit and other bank issued guarantees, which totaled approximately $1.5 billion at December 31, 2013.  It is not practicable to estimate the fair value of these financial instruments.  None of the off-balance sheet arrangements either has, or is likely to have, a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.  We also had commitments outstanding for purchase obligations related to capital expenditures, inventory and services under contracts, for each of the five years in the period ending December 31, 2018 of $483 million, $419 million, $259 million, $222 million and $121 million, respectively, and $168 million in the aggregate thereafter. |

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The entire disclosure for commitments and contingencies.
+ References
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