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All considered to be "operating revenue" for purposes of the taxonomy.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 131 -Paragraph 27 -Subparagraph a, b, c falsefalseRevenues, Total4false0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition 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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 131 -Paragraph 27 falsefalseProfit (loss), Total6false0us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedAmountus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse-491000000-491falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-437000000-437falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse-361000000-361falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of an item in the reconciliation of total profit or loss from reportable segments, 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-Section 08 -Paragraph h -Subparagraph 1(i) -Article 4 falsefalseProfit (loss), Total8false0us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationExpendituresForAdditionsToLongLivedAssetsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse14850000001485falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse10840000001084falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse13010000001301falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal expenditures for additions to long-lived assets other than financial instruments, long-term customer relationships of a financial institution, mortgage and other servicing rights, deferred policy acquisition costs, and deferred tax assets of the reportable segment. 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Must be disclosed if the amount (a) is included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) is otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or lossReference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 131 -Paragraph 27 -Subparagraph e falsefalseDepreciation and amortization, Total12false0bhi_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationFromSegmentToConsolidatedAmountbhifalsedebitdurationSegment Reporting Reconciling Item For Depreciation Depletion And Amortization From Segment To Consolidated 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available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse10690000001069falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse711000000711falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse637000000637falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.No authoritative reference available.truefalseDepreciation and amortization, Total14false0us-gaap_SegmentReportingSegmentAssetsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2122600000021226falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse98700000009870falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse2122600000021226falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse98700000009870falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse99860000009986falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal assets for reportable segments.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 131 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c falsefalseAssets, Total Oilfield15false0us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemsAssetsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse17600000001760falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse15690000001569falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse17600000001760falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse15690000001569falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse18750000001875falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal of reconciling items between total reportable segments' assets and consolidated entity assets.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 131 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c truefalseAssets, Corporate and Other16false0us-gaap_Assetsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2298600000022986falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse1143900000011439falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse2298600000022986falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse1143900000011439falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse1186100000011861falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetarySum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts (CON) -Number 6 -Paragraph 25 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 18 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 12 -Article 7 falsefalseAssets, Total17true0bhi_CorporateAndOtherSegmentLossAbstractbhifalsenadurationCorporate and Other segment loss.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringCorporate and Other segment loss.falsefalseCorporate and other segment loss18false0us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCostsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse-134000000-134falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-18000000-18falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents acquisition-related costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. 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SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 truefalseTotal revenues25true0bhi_ConsolidatedRevenuesForEachGroupOfSimilarProductsAndServicesAbstractbhifalsenadurationConsolidated Revenues For Each Group Of Similar Products And Services.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringConsolidated Revenues For Each Group Of Similar Products And Services.falsefalseConsolidated revenues for each group of similar products and services26false0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.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:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 truefalseTotal revenues27true0us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseNet property, plant and equipment based on location of asset28false0us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse63100000006310falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse31610000003161falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse63100000006310falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse31610000003161falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse28330000002833falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTangible assets that are held by an entity for use in the production or supply of goods and services, for rental to others, or for administrative purposes and that are expected to provide economic benefit for more than one year; net of accumulated depreciation. Examples include land, buildings, and production equipment.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 12 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph b, c Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 8 -Article 7 truefalseTotal29false0natruenanaNo definition 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Production [Member]us-gaap_GoodwillBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_CompletionAndProductionMemberus-gaap_GoodwillBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseCompletion and Production [Member]30true0us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationIncomeLossBeforeIncomeTaxesAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseSummarized financial information31false0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse85470000008547falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse44540000004454falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse50940000005094falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 falsefalseRevenues34true0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseConsolidated revenues based on location of use of products or services35false0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse85470000008547falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse44540000004454falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse50940000005094falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 truefalseTotal revenues36true0bhi_ConsolidatedRevenuesForEachGroupOfSimilarProductsAndServicesAbstractbhifalsenadurationConsolidated Revenues For Each Group Of Similar Products And Services.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringConsolidated Revenues For Each Group Of Similar Products And Services.falsefalseConsolidated revenues for each group of similar products and services37false0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse85470000008547falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse44540000004454falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse50940000005094falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 truefalseTotal revenues39false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://bakerhughes.com/role/segmentinformationdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse16falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_GoodwillBySegmentAxis} : Drilling and Evaluation [Member] 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2010_Drilling_And_Evaluation_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000808362duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseDrilling and Evaluation [Member]us-gaap_GoodwillBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_DrillingAndEvaluationMemberus-gaap_GoodwillBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$17falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_GoodwillBySegmentAxis} : Drilling and Evaluation [Member] 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) $TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2009_Drilling_And_Evaluation_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000808362duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseDrilling and Evaluation [Member]us-gaap_GoodwillBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_DrillingAndEvaluationMemberus-gaap_GoodwillBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$18falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_GoodwillBySegmentAxis} : Drilling and Evaluation [Member] 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) $TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2008_Drilling_And_Evaluation_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000808362duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseDrilling and Evaluation [Member]us-gaap_GoodwillBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_DrillingAndEvaluationMemberus-gaap_GoodwillBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseDrilling and Evaluation [Member]40true0us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationIncomeLossBeforeIncomeTaxesAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseSummarized financial information41false0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse48960000004896falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse45160000004516falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse59850000005985falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 falsefalseRevenues44true0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseConsolidated revenues based on location of use of products or services45false0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse48960000004896falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse45160000004516falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse59850000005985falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 truefalseTotal revenues46true0bhi_ConsolidatedRevenuesForEachGroupOfSimilarProductsAndServicesAbstractbhifalsenadurationConsolidated Revenues For Each Group Of Similar Products And Services.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringConsolidated Revenues For Each Group Of Similar Products And Services.falsefalseConsolidated revenues for each group of similar products and services47false0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse48960000004896falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse45160000004516falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse59850000005985falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 truefalseTotal revenues49false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://bakerhughes.com/role/segmentinformationdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse19falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_GoodwillBySegmentAxis} : Industrial Services and Other [Member] 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2010_Group_Five_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000808362duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseIndustrial Services and Other [Member]us-gaap_GoodwillBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_GroupFiveMemberus-gaap_GoodwillBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$20falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_GoodwillBySegmentAxis} : Industrial Services and Other [Member] 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) $TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2009_Group_Five_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000808362duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseIndustrial Services and Other [Member]us-gaap_GoodwillBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_GroupFiveMemberus-gaap_GoodwillBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$21falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_GoodwillBySegmentAxis} : Industrial Services and Other [Member] 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) $TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2008_Group_Five_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000808362duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseIndustrial Services and Other [Member]us-gaap_GoodwillBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_GroupFiveMemberus-gaap_GoodwillBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseIndustrial Services and Other [Member]50true0us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationIncomeLossBeforeIncomeTaxesAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseSummarized financial information51false0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse971000000971falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse694000000694falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse785000000785falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 falsefalseRevenues54true0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseConsolidated revenues based on location of use of products or services55false0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse971000000971falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse694000000694falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse785000000785falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 truefalseTotal revenues56true0bhi_ConsolidatedRevenuesForEachGroupOfSimilarProductsAndServicesAbstractbhifalsenadurationConsolidated Revenues For Each Group Of Similar Products And Services.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringConsolidated Revenues For Each Group Of Similar Products And Services.falsefalseConsolidated revenues for each group of similar products and services57false0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse971000000971falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse694000000694falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse785000000785falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 truefalseTotal revenues59false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://bakerhughes.com/role/segmentinformationdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse22falsefalseUSDtruefalse{bhi_SegmentReportingInformationCorporateAndOtherSegmentLossAxis} : Corporate and other segment loss [Member] 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2010_Corporate_And_Other_Segment_Loss_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000808362duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseCorporate and other segment loss [Member]bhi_SegmentReportingInformationCorporateAndOtherSegmentLossAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_CorporateAndOtherSegmentLossMemberbhi_SegmentReportingInformationCorporateAndOtherSegmentLossAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$23falsefalseUSDtruefalse{bhi_SegmentReportingInformationCorporateAndOtherSegmentLossAxis} : Corporate and other segment loss [Member] 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) $TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2009_Corporate_And_Other_Segment_Loss_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000808362duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseCorporate and other segment loss [Member]bhi_SegmentReportingInformationCorporateAndOtherSegmentLossAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_CorporateAndOtherSegmentLossMemberbhi_SegmentReportingInformationCorporateAndOtherSegmentLossAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$24falsefalseUSDtruefalse{bhi_SegmentReportingInformationCorporateAndOtherSegmentLossAxis} : Corporate and other segment loss [Member] 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) $TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2008_Corporate_And_Other_Segment_Loss_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000808362duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseCorporate and other segment loss [Member]bhi_SegmentReportingInformationCorporateAndOtherSegmentLossAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_CorporateAndOtherSegmentLossMemberbhi_SegmentReportingInformationCorporateAndOtherSegmentLossAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseCorporate and other segment loss [Member]60true0us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationIncomeLossBeforeIncomeTaxesAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseSummarized financial information61false0us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedAmountus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse-491000000-491falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-437000000-437falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse-361000000-361falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of an item in the reconciliation of total profit or loss from reportable segments, to the entity's consolidated income before income taxes, extraordinary items, discontinued operations.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 131 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph b falsefalseProfit (loss), Corporate and Other62true0bhi_CorporateAndOtherSegmentLossAbstractbhifalsenadurationCorporate and Other segment loss.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringCorporate and Other segment loss.falsefalseCorporate and other segment loss63false0bhi_CorporateAndOtherExpensesbhifalsedebitdurationCorporate and other expenses.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse-222000000-222falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-298000000-298falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse-240000000-240falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCorporate and other expenses.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseCorporate and other expenses64false0us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationInterestExpenseus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse-144000000-144falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-131000000-131falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse-89000000-89falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of interest expense for the reportable segment. Must be disclosed if the amount (a) is included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) is otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or lossReference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 131 -Paragraph 27 -Subparagraph d falsefalseInterest expense65false0us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterestAndDividendus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse30000003falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse60000006falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse2700000027falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryIncome derived from investments in debt and equity securities and on cash and cash equivalents. Interest income represents earnings which reflect the time value of money or transactions in which the payments are for the use or forbearance of money. Dividend income represents a distribution of earnings to shareholders by investee companies.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 14 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 7 -Subparagraph a, b -Article 5 falsefalseInterest and dividend income66false0us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfInvestmentsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse60000006falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse40000004falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse-25000000-25falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe net realized gain or loss on investments sold during the period, which, for cash flow reporting, is a component of proceeds from investing activities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 falsefalseGain (loss) on investments67false0us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCostsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse-134000000-134falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-18000000-18falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents acquisition-related costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs include finder's fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees; general administrative costs, including the costs of maintaining an internal acquisitions department; and may include costs of registering and issuing debt and equity securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 141R -Paragraph 59 falsefalseAcquisition-related costs68false0bhi_CorporateAndOtherSegmentLossGainOnSaleOfProductLinebhifalsecreditdurationCorporate And Other Segment Loss Gain On Sale Of Product Line.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse2800000028falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCorporate And Other Segment Loss Gain On Sale Of Product Line.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseGain on sale of product line69false0us-gaap_LitigationSettlementExpenseus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse-62000000-62falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the expenses incurred by the entity which are directly related and attributable to receiving an award in settlement of litigation.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseLitigation settlement70false0us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedAmountus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse-491000000-491falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-437000000-437falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse-361000000-361falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of an item in the reconciliation of total profit or loss from reportable segments, to the entity's consolidated income before income taxes, extraordinary items, discontinued operations.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 131 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph b truefalseTotal75false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://bakerhughes.com/role/segmentinformationdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse25falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToIndividualForeignCountriesAxis} : Industrial and Other [Member] 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2010_Industrial_And_Other_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000808362duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseIndustrial and Other [Member]us-gaap_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToIndividualForeignCountriesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_IndustrialAndOtherMemberus-gaap_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToIndividualForeignCountriesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$26falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToIndividualForeignCountriesAxis} : Industrial and Other [Member] 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) $TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2009_Industrial_And_Other_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000808362duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseIndustrial and Other [Member]us-gaap_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToIndividualForeignCountriesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_IndustrialAndOtherMemberus-gaap_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToIndividualForeignCountriesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$27falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToIndividualForeignCountriesAxis} : Industrial and Other [Member] 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) $TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2008_Industrial_And_Other_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000808362duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseIndustrial and Other [Member]us-gaap_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToIndividualForeignCountriesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_IndustrialAndOtherMemberus-gaap_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToIndividualForeignCountriesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseIndustrial and Other [Member]76true0us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationIncomeLossBeforeIncomeTaxesAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseSummarized financial information77false0us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationRevenueus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse971000000971falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse694000000694falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse785000000785falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of total revenue for the reportable segment, including revenue from external customers, transactions with other operating segments of the same entity, and (gross) interest revenue. All considered to be "operating revenue" for purposes of the taxonomy.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 131 -Paragraph 27 -Subparagraph a, b, c falsefalseRevenues, Total78false0us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse9900000099falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse7000000070falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse192000000192falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of profit or loss recognized by the reportable segment.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 131 -Paragraph 27 falsefalseProfit (loss), Total79false0us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationExpendituresForAdditionsToLongLivedAssetsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse179000000179falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse196000000196falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse285000000285falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal expenditures for additions to long-lived assets other than financial instruments, long-term customer relationships of a financial institution, mortgage and other servicing rights, deferred policy acquisition costs, and deferred tax assets of the reportable segment. Must be disclosed if the amount (a) is included in the determination of segment assets reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) is otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in the determination of segment assets.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 131 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph b falsefalseCapital expenditures, Total80false0us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationExpenseus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse4400000044falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse1700000017falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse1500000015falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense for the reportable segment. Must be disclosed if the amount (a) is included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) is otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or lossReference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 131 -Paragraph 27 -Subparagraph e falsefalseDepreciation and amortization, Total81false0us-gaap_SegmentReportingSegmentAssetsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse36420000003642falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse21270000002127falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse36420000003642falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse21270000002127falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse14520000001452falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal assets for reportable segments.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 131 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c falsefalseAssets, Total Oilfield87false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://bakerhughes.com/role/segmentinformationdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse28falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToIndividualForeignCountriesAxis} : Europe Africa Russia Caspian [Member] 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2010_Segment_Geographical_Groups_Of_Countries_Group_One_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000808362duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseEurope Africa Russia Caspian [Member]us-gaap_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToIndividualForeignCountriesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_SegmentGeographicalGroupsOfCountriesGroupOneMemberus-gaap_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToIndividualForeignCountriesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$29falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToIndividualForeignCountriesAxis} : Europe Africa Russia Caspian [Member] 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) $TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2009_Segment_Geographical_Groups_Of_Countries_Group_One_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000808362duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseEurope Africa Russia Caspian [Member]us-gaap_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToIndividualForeignCountriesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_SegmentGeographicalGroupsOfCountriesGroupOneMemberus-gaap_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToIndividualForeignCountriesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$30falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToIndividualForeignCountriesAxis} : Europe Africa Russia Caspian [Member] 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) $TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2008_Segment_Geographical_Groups_Of_Countries_Group_One_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000808362duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseEurope Africa Russia Caspian [Member]us-gaap_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToIndividualForeignCountriesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_SegmentGeographicalGroupsOfCountriesGroupOneMemberus-gaap_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToIndividualForeignCountriesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseEurope Africa Russia Caspian [Member]88true0us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationIncomeLossBeforeIncomeTaxesAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseSummarized financial information89false0us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationRevenueus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse30060000003006falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse27740000002774falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse32090000003209falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of total revenue for the reportable segment, including revenue from external customers, transactions with other operating segments of the same entity, and (gross) interest revenue. 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Must be disclosed if the amount (a) is included in the determination of segment assets reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) is otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in the determination of segment assets.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 131 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph b falsefalseCapital expenditures, Total92false0us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationExpenseus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse230000000230falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse175000000175falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse158000000158falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense for the reportable segment. 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-Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 falsefalseRevenues105true0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseConsolidated revenues based on location of use of products or services106false0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse32180000003218falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse29250000002925falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse33860000003386falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 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services108false0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse32180000003218falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse29250000002925falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse33860000003386falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name 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available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseSummarized financial information112false0us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationRevenueus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition 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Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 truefalseTotal revenues179false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://bakerhughes.com/role/segmentinformationdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse52falsefalseUSDtruefalse{bhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxis} : United States [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) $BalanceAsOf_31Dec2010_United_States_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000808362instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseUnited States [Member]bhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_UnitedStatesMemberbhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$53falsefalseUSDtruefalse{bhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxis} : United States [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) $BalanceAsOf_31Dec2009_United_States_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000808362instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseUnited States [Member]bhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_UnitedStatesMemberbhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$54falsefalseUSDtruefalse{bhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxis} : United States [Member] 12/31/2008 USD ($) $BalanceAsOf_31Dec2008_United_States_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000808362instant2008-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseUnited States [Member]bhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_UnitedStatesMemberbhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseUnited States [Member]185true0us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseNet property, plant and equipment based on location of asset186false0us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse30230000003023falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse13770000001377falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse30230000003023falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse13770000001377falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse13560000001356falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTangible assets that are held by an entity for use in the production or supply of goods and services, for rental to others, or for administrative purposes and that are expected to provide economic benefit for more than one year; net of accumulated depreciation. Examples include land, buildings, and production equipment.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 12 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph b, c Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 8 -Article 7 truefalseTotal187false0natruenanaNo definition 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{bhi_ConsolidatedRevenuesBasedOnLocationOfUseOfProductsOrServicesAxis} : Consolidated Revenue by Product or Service [Member] 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) $TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2009_Consolidated_Revenue_By_Product_Or_Service_Member_United_States_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000808362duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseUnited States [Member]bhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_UnitedStatesMemberbhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseConsolidated Revenue by Product or Service [Member]bhi_ConsolidatedRevenuesBasedOnLocationOfUseOfProductsOrServicesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_ConsolidatedRevenueByProductOrServiceMemberbhi_ConsolidatedRevenuesBasedOnLocationOfUseOfProductsOrServicesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$57falsefalseUSDtruefalse{bhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxis} : United States [Member] {bhi_ConsolidatedRevenuesBasedOnLocationOfUseOfProductsOrServicesAxis} : Consolidated Revenue by Product or Service [Member] 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) $TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2008_Consolidated_Revenue_By_Product_Or_Service_Member_United_States_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000808362duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseUnited States 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available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseSummarized financial information189false0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse60430000006043falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse30910000003091falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse45120000004512falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 falsefalseRevenues192true0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseConsolidated revenues based on location of use of products or services193false0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse60430000006043falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse30910000003091falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse45120000004512falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 truefalseTotal revenues194true0bhi_ConsolidatedRevenuesForEachGroupOfSimilarProductsAndServicesAbstractbhifalsenadurationConsolidated Revenues For Each Group Of Similar Products And Services.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringConsolidated Revenues For Each Group Of Similar Products And Services.falsefalseConsolidated revenues for each group of similar products and services195false0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse60430000006043falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse30910000003091falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse45120000004512falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 truefalseTotal revenues197false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://bakerhughes.com/role/segmentinformationdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse58falsefalseUSDtruefalse{bhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxis} : Canada and Other [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) 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[Member]bhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_CanadaAndOtherMemberbhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$60falsefalseUSDtruefalse{bhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxis} : Canada and Other [Member] 12/31/2008 USD ($) $BalanceAsOf_31Dec2008_Canada_And_Other_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000808362instant2008-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCanada and Other [Member]bhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_CanadaAndOtherMemberbhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseCanada and Other [Member]203true0us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseNet property, plant and equipment based on location of asset204false0us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse467000000467falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse105000000105falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse467000000467falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse105000000105falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse104000000104falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTangible assets that are held by an entity for use in the production or supply of goods and services, for rental to others, or for administrative purposes and that are expected to provide economic benefit for more than one year; net of accumulated depreciation. Examples include land, buildings, and production equipment.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 12 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph b, c Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 8 -Article 7 truefalseTotal205false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://bakerhughes.com/role/segmentinformationdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse61falsefalseUSDtruefalse{bhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxis} : Canada and Other [Member] {bhi_ConsolidatedRevenuesBasedOnLocationOfUseOfProductsOrServicesAxis} : Consolidated Revenue by Product or Service [Member] 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) 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{bhi_ConsolidatedRevenuesBasedOnLocationOfUseOfProductsOrServicesAxis} : Consolidated Revenue by Product or Service [Member] 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) $TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2009_Consolidated_Revenue_By_Product_Or_Service_Member_Canada_And_Other_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000808362duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseCanada and Other [Member]bhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_CanadaAndOtherMemberbhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseConsolidated Revenue by Product or Service [Member]bhi_ConsolidatedRevenuesBasedOnLocationOfUseOfProductsOrServicesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_ConsolidatedRevenueByProductOrServiceMemberbhi_ConsolidatedRevenuesBasedOnLocationOfUseOfProductsOrServicesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$63falsefalseUSDtruefalse{bhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxis} : Canada and Other [Member] {bhi_ConsolidatedRevenuesBasedOnLocationOfUseOfProductsOrServicesAxis} : Consolidated Revenue by Product or Service [Member] 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) $TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2008_Consolidated_Revenue_By_Product_Or_Service_Member_Canada_And_Other_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000808362duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseCanada and Other [Member]bhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_CanadaAndOtherMemberbhi_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToDomesticAreaAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseConsolidated Revenue by Product or Service [Member]bhi_ConsolidatedRevenuesBasedOnLocationOfUseOfProductsOrServicesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibhi_ConsolidatedRevenueByProductOrServiceMemberbhi_ConsolidatedRevenuesBasedOnLocationOfUseOfProductsOrServicesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseCanada and Other [Member] | Consolidated Revenue by Product or Service [Member]206true0us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationIncomeLossBeforeIncomeTaxesAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseSummarized financial information207false0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition 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