ASSETS Assets [Abstract] LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Current Assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Current Liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Other Assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Total Assets Assets Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill), Total Other Intangible Assets, Net of Accumulated Amortization of $379,789 and $359,052, Respectively Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net of Accumulated Depreciation Property, Plant and Equipment, Net of Accumulated Depreciation of $3,602,222 and $3,438,248, Respectively Goodwill Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill Total Current Assets Assets, Current Other Current Assets Other Assets, Current Current Deferred Tax Assets Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Total Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Beginning Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Ending Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total Shareholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling Interests Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Weatherford Shareholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Total Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Retained Earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Treasury Stock, Value Treasury Shares, Net Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance Treasury Shares, at Cost Capital in Excess of Par Value Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Beginning Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Shares, CHF 1.16 Par Value, Authorized 1,093,303 Shares, Conditionally Authorized 364,434 Shares, Issued 758,447 Shares at March 31, 2010 and at December 31, 2009 Common Stock, Value, Issued Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) [Abstract] Total Liabilities Liabilities Total Current Liabilities Liabilities, Current, Total Liabilities, Current Other Liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other Current Liabilities Other Liabilities, Current Accounts Payable Accounts Payable, Current, Total Accounts Payable, Current Short-term Borrowings and Current Portion of Long-term Debt Debt, Current, Total Debt, Current Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net Income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Weatherford Net Income Attributable to Weatherford Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Net Income (Loss) Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Benefit (Provision) for Income Taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Other, Net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Operating Income Operating Income (Loss) Research and Development Research and Development Expense, Total Research and Development Expense Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Total Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information. Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Weatherford Comprehensive Income Attributable to Weatherford Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) Other Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Other Comprehensive Income, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Other Comprehensive Income, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Total Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Amortization of Pension Components Other Comprehensive Income, Amortization of Defined Benefit Plan Net Prior Service Cost Recognized in Net Periodic Pension Cost, Net of Tax Other Comprehensive Income: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Change in Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net of Effect of Businesses Acquired Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Supplemental Cash Flow Information: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Income Taxes Paid, Net of Refunds Income Taxes Paid, Net, Total Income Taxes Paid, Net Interest Paid Interest Paid Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Total Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Other Financing Activities, Net Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt, Total Borrowings (Repayments) of Long-term Debt, Net Net Cash Used by Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments Acquisition of Equity Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates Purchase of Equity Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates Acquisition of Intellectual Property Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets Capital Expenditures for Property, Plant and Equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Acquisitions of Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, Total Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Accounts Payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Trade Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories, Total Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Accounts Receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Deferred Income Tax Benefit Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Employee Share-Based Compensation Expense Share-based Compensation, Total Share-based Compensation Depreciation and Amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Total Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Business Combinations Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Inventories Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Goodwill [Abstract] Goodwill. Goodwill Goodwill Schedule of Goodwill [Text Block] Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) [Abstract] Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) [Abstract] Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Inventories [Abstract] Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract] Fair Value Of Financial Instruments. Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Derivative Instruments Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Share-Based Compensation Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Retirement and Employee Benefit Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Information [Abstract] Segment Information. Segment Information Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Common Shares, Shares Issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common Shares, Shares Authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common Shares, Par Value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Beginning Balance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Ending Balance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Accumulated Depreciation on Property, Plant and Equipment Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Less: Accumulated Depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Ending Balance Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Beginning Balance Less: Accumulated Depreciation Short-Term Borrowings and Current Portion of Long-Term Debt [Abstract] Derivative Instruments [Abstract] Income Taxes [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings (Loss) Per Share Attributable to Weatherford: Share-Based Compensation [Abstract] Retirement and Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract] Inventories Inventory, Net, Total Inventory, Net Equity Investments Equity Method Investments Other Expense: Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Cost of Services Cost of Services, Total Cost of Services Cost of Products Cost of Goods Sold, Total Cost of Goods Sold Products Sales Revenue, Goods, Net, Total Sales Revenue, Goods, Net Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] General Business Combinations [Abstract] Business Combinations. Short-term Borrowings and Current Portion of Long-term Debt Short-term Debt [Text Block] Disputes, Litigation and Contingencies Schedule of Loss Contingencies by Contingency [Text Block] General [Abstract] Disputes, Litigation and Contingencies [Abstract] Receivables, Net, Current Receivables, Net, Current, Total Accounts Receivable, Net of Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts of $21,847 and $20,466, Respectively Long-term Debt Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Total Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Revenues: Revenues [Abstract] Services Sales Revenue, Services, Net Total Revenue Revenues, Total Revenues Cost of Revenue [Abstract] Costs and Expenses: Selling, General and Administrative Attributable to Segments General and Administrative Expense, Total General and Administrative Expense Other Selling, General and Administrative Expense Corporate General and Administrative Corporate General and Administrative Interest Expense, Net Interest Expense, Net Represents the portion of interest incurred in the period on debt arrangements that was charged against earnings, net of income derived from investments in debt securities and on cash and cash equivalents. Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income (expense) before income taxes, extraordinary items, cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, and noncontrolling interest. Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: Weighted Average Shares Outstanding [Abstract] Disclosure of weighted average shares outstanding. Other, Net Other Noncash Expense Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Other Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Proceeds from Sale of Assets and Businesses, Net Proceeds from Sale of Assets and Businesses, Net Repayments of Short-term Debt Borrowings (Repayments) of Short-term Debt, Net Repayments of Short-term Debt, Total Borrowings of (Repayments on) Short-term Debt, Net Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Shareholders' Equity: Income Taxes Income Tax Text Block Disclosure related to the Company's effective tax rates, which includes an explanation of the variances in the effective tax rates over the applicable periods. Stockholders' Equity Stockholders Equity Text Block Disclosures related to accounts comprising shareholders' equity presented as amounts attributable to the company and amounts attributable to noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries. Includes: (1) beginning and ending balance of shareholders' equity; (2) transactions with shareholders; (3) components of comprehensive income (loss) and total amount of comprehensive income (loss); and (4) dividends paid to noncontrolling interests. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Text Block] Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests Capital Expenditures for Property, Plant and Equipment Acquisition of Intellectual Property Other Financing Activities, Net Acquisitions of Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Shareholders' Equity: Stockholders' Equity, Number of Shares, Par Value and Other Disclosures [Abstract] New Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract] Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] New Accounting Pronouncements Accumulated Amortization on Other Intangible Assets Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements [Abstract] Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements [Abstract] Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements. Pension Expense Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Other Comprehensive Income, Finalization of Pension and Non-Pension Postretirement Plan Valuation, Net of Tax Curtailment of Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Curtailment of Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Common Shares, Shares Conditionally Authorized Common Shares, Shares Conditionally Authorized. Common Shares, Shares Conditionally Authorized Impact of currency devaluation Devaluation of Venezuelan Bolivar Devaluation of Venezuelan Bolivar Impact of currency devaluation. Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Other Investing Activities Other Investing Activities Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents