Chapter 11 Proceedings and Ability to continue as a Going Concern - Schedule of Debtor in Possession Consolidated Financial Statements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 1,314			$ 1,444			$ 3,969	$ 4,315
Operating Expenses	(1,761)			(1,457)			(4,835)	(4,440)
Operating Loss	(447)			(13)			(866)	(125)
Other Expense:
Reorganization Items	(303)			0			(303)	0
Interest Expense, Net	(26)			(156)			(341)	(457)
Equity in Losses of Subsidiaries	0			0			0	0
Other Expense, Net	(8)			(3)			(18)	(33)
Loss Before Income Taxes	(784)			(172)			(1,528)	(615)
Income Tax Provision	(31)			(22)			(76)	(80)
Net Loss	(815)	$ (312)	$ (477)	(194)	$ (259)	$ (242)	(1,604)	(695)
Liabilities:
Liabilities Subject to Compromise	7,634						7,634		$ 0
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net Loss	(815)	$ (312)	(477)	(194)	(259)	(242)	(1,604)	(695)
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Reorganization Items							134	0
Charges from Parent or Subsidiary							0	0
Equity in (Earnings) Loss of Affiliates							0	0
Other, Net							(67)	(160)
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities							(679)	(347)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Borrowings from Debtor in Possession Credit Facility, net							1,386	0
Debtor in Possession Financing Payments and Payments on Backstop Agreement							(110)	0
Borrowings (Repayments) of Short-term Debt, Net							(25)	170
Other Financing Activities Among Subsidiaries							(17)	(28)
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities							917	223
Net Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash							448	(220)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period			602	393		$ 613	602	613
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period	1,050			$ 393	$ 393		1,050	$ 393
Weatherford Interenational PLC Debtor Entities
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues	0
Operating Expenses	(39)
Operating Loss	(39)
Other Expense:
Reorganization Items	(303)
Interest Expense, Net	(26)
Intercompany Charges for Interest and Dividends	(32)
Equity in Losses of Subsidiaries	(838)
Other Expense, Net	(8)
Loss Before Income Taxes	(1,246)
Income Tax Provision	0
Net Loss	(1,246)
Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents	153						153
Restricted Cash	146						146
Income Tax Receivable	529						529
Total Current Assets	828						828
Investment in Subsidiaries	8,539						8,539
Intercompany Receivables, Net	1,217						1,217
Other Non-Current Assets	6						6
Total Assets	10,590						10,590
Liabilities:
Debtor in Possession Financing	1,386						1,386
Short-term Borrowings and Current Portion of Long-term Debt	310						310
Accounts Payables and Other Current Liabilities	64						64
Total Current Liabilities	1,760						1,760
Intercompany Payables, Net	2,902						2,902
Other Non-Current Liabilities	7						7
Total Liabilities Not Subject to Compromise	4,669						4,669
Liabilities Subject to Compromise	7,634						7,634
Debtor Entities Shareholders’ Deficit	(1,713)						(1,713)
Debtor Entities Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Deficit	10,590						10,590
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net Loss	(1,246)
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Reorganization Items	134
Charges from Parent or Subsidiary	32
Equity in (Earnings) Loss of Affiliates	838
Other, Net	(583)
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities	(825)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Borrowings from Debtor in Possession Credit Facility, net	1,386
Debtor in Possession Financing Payments and Payments on Backstop Agreement	(110)
Borrowings (Repayments) of Short-term Debt, Net	(526)
Other Financing Activities Among Subsidiaries	230
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities	980
Net Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	155
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period			$ 144				144
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period	$ 299						$ 299