Investments in Joint Ventures - Intrexon Energy Partners - Additional Information (Details)	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) board_seat	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Schedule Of Investments In Joint Venture [Line Items]
Investment			$ 1,461,000	$ 2,139,000
Intrexon Energy Partners, LLC
Schedule Of Investments In Joint Venture [Line Items]
Membership interest		50.00%
Maximum additional capital contributions committed		$ 25,000,000
Additional capital contributions committed, remaining commitment			$ 4,225,000
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			2
Total number of seats on the joint venture's governing board, externally selected | board_seat			3
Investor | Intrexon Energy Partners, LLC
Schedule Of Investments In Joint Venture [Line Items]
Membership interest		50.00%
Capital contribution		$ 25,000,000
Maximum additional capital contributions committed		25,000,000
Other accrued liabilities | Intrexon Energy Partners, LLC
Schedule Of Investments In Joint Venture [Line Items]
Investment			$ (423,000)	$ (656,000)
Intrexon Energy Partners II, LLC | Collaboration and licensing agreements
Schedule Of Investments In Joint Venture [Line Items]
Collaborative agreement, consideration received, value	$ 18,000,000
Intrexon Energy Partners, LLC | Collaboration and licensing agreements
Schedule Of Investments In Joint Venture [Line Items]
Collaborative agreement, consideration received, value		$ 25,000,000