Note 16 - Segments - Information on Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Total revenues		$ 32,863	$ 27,536	$ 27,213
Loss from operations		(22,201)	(23,282)	(23,985)
Interest expense		3,237	2,951	7,837
Depreciation and amortization		6,520	6,641	6,747
Acquisitions of plant, property and equipment		3,123	1,906	5,938
Assets	[1]	107,035	88,853
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Assets	[2]	(139,326)	(148,412)
Gevo [Member]
Total revenues		1,222	1,097	2,425
Loss from operations		(11,552)	(10,603)	(11,045)
Interest expense		3,237	2,951	7,789
Depreciation and amortization		269	473	738
Acquisitions of plant, property and equipment		27	120	350
Gevo [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets		105,379	87,507
Gevo Development / Agri-Energy [Member]
Total revenues		31,641	26,439	24,788
Loss from operations		(10,649)	(12,679)	(12,940)
Interest expense				48
Depreciation and amortization		6,251	6,168	6,009
Acquisitions of plant, property and equipment		3,096	1,786	$ 5,588
Gevo Development / Agri-Energy [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Assets		$ 140,982	$ 149,758

[1] All other significant non-cash items relate to the activities of Gevo.

[2] Includes intercompany sales of $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively for hydrocarbon sales.