Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 01, 2013	Jun. 29, 2012
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	SYNTROLEUM CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001029023
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		99,238,146
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Public Float			$ 58,204,000
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No