General (Policies)	9 Months Ended
General (Policies)	Sep. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting	The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Weatherford International plc (the “Company”) are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and include all adjustments which, in our opinion, are considered necessary to present fairly our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. When referring to “Weatherford” and using phrases such as “we,” “us,” and “our,” the intent is to refer to Weatherford International plc, a public limited company organized under the law of Ireland, and its subsidiaries as a whole or on a regional basis, depending on the context in which the statements are made. Although we believe the disclosures in these financial statements are adequate, certain information relating to our organization and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted in this Form 10-Q pursuant to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and regulations. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the year ending December 31, 2017.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including those related to uncollectible accounts receivable, lower of cost or net realizable value for inventories, equity investments, derivative financial instruments, intangible assets and goodwill, property, plant and equipment (PP&E), income taxes, percentage-of-completion accounting for long-term contracts, self-insurance, foreign currency exchange rates, pension and post-retirement benefit plans, disputes, litigation, contingencies and share-based compensation. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation We consolidate all wholly-owned subsidiaries, controlled joint ventures and variable interest entities where the Company has determined it is the primary beneficiary. Investments in affiliates in which we exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies are accounted for using the equity method. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Reclassifications Certain prior year cash flow amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation related to the adoption of new accounting standards. Net income and shareholders’ equity were not affected by these reclassifications. See “Note 18 – New Accounting Pronouncements” for additional details. Revenue Recognition In the second quarter of 2017, the Company changed its accounting for revenue with our largest customer in Venezuela to record a discount reflecting the time value of money and accrete the discount as interest income over the expected collection period using the effective interest method. In connection with this development, the Company corrected this immaterial error for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2017. The impact of the correction decreased revenue and increased interest income by approximately $31 million and $4 million, respectively, for the three month period ended June 30, 2017 and reduced accounts receivable by approximately $27 million as of June 30, 2017. As of September 30, 2017, to reflect the impact of payment delays and expectation that the time to collect may exceed one year, we reclassified $158 million of accounts receivable related to this customer in Other Non-Current Assets on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. While we are continuing to experience delays with collections on our outstanding receivables with this customer, we believe the amounts are fully collectible based on the financial position and solvency of this customer and the dependence of the Venezuelan economy on oil production from this customer. We also considered our collections history with this customer and lack of historical material allowances or write-offs to our receivables balances. Our assumptions and related judgments are sensitive to the continued significant political and economic turmoil in Venezuela. If conditions continue to deteriorate, we may be required to record allowances or write-offs to our receivables balances that could have a material impact on our financial position and results of operations.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain prior year cash flow amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation related to the adoption of new accounting standards. Net income and shareholders’ equity were not affected by these reclassifications.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition In the second quarter of 2017, the Company changed its accounting for revenue with our largest customer in Venezuela to record a discount reflecting the time value of money and accrete the discount as interest income over the expected collection period using the effective interest method.