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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Billions	Sep. 30, 2011
Commitments and Contingencies (Textuals) [Abstract]
Off-balance sheet arrangements related to letters of credit and other bank issued guarantees, total	$ 1.2

X

- Definition

Commitments And Contingencies.

+ Details

Name:	bhi_CommitmentsAndContingenciesTextualsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	bhi
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The fair value of financial liabilities, which are not recognized in the financial statements (off-balance sheet) because they fail to meet some other criterion for recognition.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13433-108611

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant