1.0.0.3 true Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data false 1 $ true false false false Retained Earnings us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 false 2 $ true false false false Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 3 $ false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 5 Tax effect on adoption of ASC 360, property plant and equipment 3 bhi_TaxEffectOnAdoptionOfAsc360PropertyPlantAndEquipment bhi false debit duration monetary Tax effect on adoption of Asc 360 property plant and equipment. false false false false false false false false false 1 true true -9000000 -9 true false 2 false false 0 0 false false 3 true true -9000000 -9 false false Tax effect on adoption of Asc 360 property plant and equipment. No authoritative reference available. false 6 Comprehensive income: 3 us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 7 Tax effect on defined benefit pension plans 4 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansTax us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false true -37000000 -37 true false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 8 Cash dividends per share 3 us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid us-gaap true na duration decimal No definition available. false false false false false false false false true 1 true true 0.52 0.52 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 6 Comprehensive income: 3 us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 7 Tax effect on defined benefit pension plans 4 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansTax us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false true 67000000 67 true false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 8 Cash dividends per share 3 us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid us-gaap true na duration decimal No definition available. false false false false false false false false true 1 true true 0.56 0.56 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 6 Comprehensive income: 3 us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 7 Tax effect on defined benefit pension plans 4 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansTax us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 true true 2000000 2 true false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 8 Cash dividends per share 3 us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid us-gaap true na duration decimal No definition available. false false false false false false false false true 1 true true 0.6 0.6 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false false 3 10 false Millions UnKnown Hundreds false true