Investments in Joint Ventures - Intrexon Energy Partners - Additional Information (Details)	1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) board_seat	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment		$ 25,847,000	$ 9,977,000
Intrexon Energy Partners
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Membership interest	50.00%
Maximum additional capital contribution committed	$ 25,000,000
Additional capital contributions committed, remaining commitment		$ 12,367,000
Total number of seats on the joint venture's governing board | board_seat		5
Intrexon Energy Partners | Other Accrued Liabilities
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment		$ (627,000)	$ (1,270,000)
Intrexon Energy Partners | Investors
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Membership interest	50.00%
Capital contributions	$ 25,000,000
Maximum additional capital contribution committed	25,000,000
Upfront and Milestone Payments | Intrexon Energy Partners | Upfront
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Collaborative arrangement consideration received, value	$ 25,000,000