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The amount recovered from insurance. These recoveries reduce costs and losses that are reported as a separate line item under operating expenses.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Number of another entity's patents that the entity has allegedly infringed.

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The amount of cash paid for the settlement of litigation or for other legal issues during the period.

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Disputes, Litigation and Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions						3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2016 USD ($)	Nov. 04, 2015 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2015 patent	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jan. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 claim
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Shareholder derivative actions filed \| claim																3
Loss Contingency, Patents Allegedly Infringed, Number \| patent			7
Litigation Charges, Net	$ 140
Estimated litigation liability						$ 51			$ 181	$ 51	$ 181
Freedman v. Weatherford International Ltd., et al. [Member] [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation Settlement, Amount Awarded to Other Party				$ 120
Payments for legal settlements		$ 120
Insurance Recoveries										$ 26
Dobina v. Weatherford International Ltd., et al. [Domain]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation Settlement, Amount Awarded to Other Party					$ 53
U.S. SEC and DOJ Investigation [Domain]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Payments for legal settlements									$ 50
Loss Contingency Accrual														$ 140	$ 65
Loss Contingency, Settlement Agreement, Internal Control Reporting, Tax, Period of Time	2 days
SEC Settlement [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation Charges, Net											$ 140
Spitzer [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Payments for legal settlements						$ 25
Loss Contingency Accrual													$ 36
Settlement payments due in 120 days [Domain] \| U.S. SEC and DOJ Investigation [Domain]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Payments for legal settlements								$ 30
Settlement payments due in 240 days [Domain] \| U.S. SEC and DOJ Investigation [Domain]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Payments for legal settlements							$ 30
Settlement payments due in 360 days [Domain] \| U.S. SEC and DOJ Investigation [Domain]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Accrual												$ 30