Quarterly Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Quarterly Data (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 5,387	$ 5,178	$ 4,741	$ 4,525	$ 4,423	$ 4,078	$ 3,374	$ 2,539	$ 19,831	$ 14,414	$ 9,664
Gross profit	1,144	1,130	909	922	897	771	600	533	4,105	2,801
Net income attributable to Baker Hughes	$ 314	$ 706	$ 338	$ 381	$ 335	$ 255	$ 93	$ 129	$ 1,739	$ 812	$ 421
Basic earnings per share of Baker Hughes	$ 0.72	$ 1.62	$ 0.78	$ 0.88	$ 0.78	$ 0.59	$ 0.23	$ 0.41	$ 3.99	$ 2.06	$ 1.36
Diluted earnings per share of Baker Hughes	$ 0.72	$ 1.61	$ 0.77	$ 0.87	$ 0.77	$ 0.59	$ 0.23	$ 0.41	$ 3.97	$ 2.06	$ 1.36
Dividends per share	$ 0.15	$ 0.15	$ 0.15	$ 0.15	$ 0.15	$ 0.15	$ 0.15	$ 0.15	$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 0.60
Common Stock Market Prices:
High	$ 60.89	$ 79.94	$ 78.00	$ 74.16	$ 57.17	$ 50.23	$ 54.18	$ 51.86
Low	$ 44.47	$ 46.15	$ 67.27	$ 54.83	$ 42.82	$ 37.58	$ 35.87	$ 41.24