Investments in Joint Ventures - Intrexon Energy Partners II - Additional Information (Details)	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) board_seat	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment		$ 17,487,000	$ 18,859,000
Intrexon Energy Partners II, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership 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 | Other Accrued Liabilities
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment		$ (425,000)	$ (50,000)
Intrexon Energy Partners II, LLC | Investors
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership 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 | Collaboration and licensing agreements
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Collaborative arrangement consideration received, value	$ 18,000,000