Income Taxes - Net Deferred Tax Liabilities and Valuation Allowances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Deferred Tax Liabilities
Fixed assets				$ 3,935	$ 1,128
Goodwill				124	143
Other intangible assets				3,684	72
Subsidiary/equity investments				570	200
Other				648	93
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross				8,961	1,636
Deferred Tax Assets
Carryforwards				526	209
Benefit plans and related				575	257
Inventory				63	16
Accruals and other				1,112	261
Total gross deferred tax assets				2,276	743
Less: Valuation allowances	$ (76)	$ (132)	$ (123)	(237)	(76)
Total net deferred tax assets				2,039	667
Other long-term assets				510	198
Deferred credits				7,432	1,167
Total deferred tax liabilities				6,922	969
Deferred tax asset - pension, OPEB				292	217
Deferred tax asset - research and development				$ 104	$ 130
Valuation Allowance [Abstract]
Valuation allowances	(76)	(132)	(123)
Income tax (charge) benefit	(51)	59	(13)
Merger with Linde AG	(121)	0	0
Other, including write-offs	7	0	6
Translation adjustments	4	(3)	(2)
Valuation allowances	$ (237)	(76)	$ (132)
U.S. Foreign Tax Credit Benefit, enactment of Tax Act		$ 59