Investments in Joint Ventures - Intrexon Energy Partners II - Additional Information (Details)	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) board_seat	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment		$ 21,904,000	$ 23,655,000
Intrexon Energy Partners II, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Membership interest	50.00%
Maximum additional capital contribution committed	$ 10,000,000
Total number of seats on the joint venture's governing board | board_seat		5
Total number of seats on the joint venture's governing board, internally selected | board_seat		1
Total number of seats on the joint venture's governing board, externally selected | board_seat		4
Intrexon Energy Partners II, LLC | Investments In Affiliates
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment		$ 855,000	$ 1,414,000
Intrexon Energy Partners II, LLC | Investors
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Membership interest	50.00%
Capital contributions	$ 18,000,000
Maximum additional capital contribution committed	10,000,000
Intrexon Energy Partners II, LLC | All Investors
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Capital contributions	4,000,000
Intrexon Energy Partners II, LLC | Upfront and Milestone Payments | Upfront
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Collaborative arrangement consideration received, value	$ 18,000,000