ACQUISITIONS, GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - BAKER HUGHES (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions			9 Months Ended
		Jul. 03, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Increase in additional paid in capital	[1]		$ 1,199	$ (404)
BHGE Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Increase in additional paid in capital			$ 1,131
BHGE Inc. | GE
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contribution to fund cash dividend to existing Baker Hughes shareholders		$ 7,498
Interest held in partnership (as a percent)		62.50%
Total consideration		$ 24,798
Noncontrolling interest recorded		$ 16,470
BHGE Inc. | GE | Class B Common Stock
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Interest held in partnership (as a percent)		62.50%
BHGE Inc. | Baker Hughes
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Interest held in partnership (as a percent)		37.50%
BHGE Inc. | New Baker Hughes | Baker Hughes
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Special one-time cash dividend (in dollars per share)		$ 17.50
BHGE Inc. | New Baker Hughes | Baker Hughes | Class A Common Stock
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Shares received at closing (in shares)		1

[1] The Baker Hughes transaction resulted in an increase to additional paid in capital of $1,131 million. See Note 8 for further information.