Pension plans - Narrative (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011 Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation		$ 11,947	$ 9,954
Unfunded projected benefit obligations		890
Estimated future benefit payments
2012	686
2013	685
2014	700
2015	715
2016	734
2017 - 2021	3,852
Expected contribution to pension plans during the next year	545
Amounts expected to be included in net periodic pension expense during the next year	$ 177

The projected benefit obligation for unfunded plans (non-qualified U.S. plans and non-U.S. plans).

No definition available.

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- Definition

For defined benefit pension plans, the actuarial present value of benefits (whether vested or nonvested) attributed by the pension benefit formula to employee service rendered before a specified date and based on employee service and compensation (if applicable) before that date. The accumulated benefit obligation differs from the projected benefit obligation in that it includes no assumption about future compensation levels. For plans with flat-benefit or nonpay-related pension benefit formulas, the accumulated benefit obligation and the projected benefit obligation are the same.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph e

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Accumulated Benefit Obligation

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6503844

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- Definition

The aggregate amount in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost over the fiscal year that follows the most recent annual statement of financial position presented, including the net gain (loss), net prior service cost or credit, and net transition asset or obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph s

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 158

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (s)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920

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- Definition

The employer's best estimate, as soon as it can be reasonably determined, of contributions expected to be paid to the plan during the next fiscal year beginning after the date of the latest statement of financial position. Estimated contributions may be presented in the aggregate combining (1) contributions required by funding regulations or laws, (2) discretionary contributions, and (3) noncash contributions.

+ References

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- Definition

The amount of the aggregate benefits expected to be paid in the five fiscal years thereafter (the aggregate amount of benefits expected to be paid in years 6 through 10 after the date of the latest statement of financial position).

+ References

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- Definition

The amount of the benefits expected to be paid in Year 5.

+ References

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- Definition

The amount of the benefits expected to be paid in Year 4.

+ References

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- Definition

The amount of the benefits expected to be paid in Year 1.

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- Definition

The amount of the benefits expected to be paid in Year 3.

+ References

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- Definition

The amount of the benefits expected to be paid in Year 2.

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