CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016		Sep. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2016		Mar. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Sep. 30, 2015		Jun. 30, 2015		Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
General and administrative expense	$ 3,928		$ 4,687		$ 4,849		$ 5,228		$ 3,958		$ 3,962		$ 4,754		$ 4,880		$ 18,692	$ 17,554	$ 18,970
Operating loss	(3,928)		(4,687)		(4,849)		(5,228)		(3,958)		(3,962)		(4,754)		(4,880)		(18,692)	(17,554)	(18,970)
Other income (loss), net	64		(2,405)		659		0		(84)		704		(15)		(388)		(1,682)	217	31,657
Interest income	615		513		527		420		448		398		640		449		2,075	1,935	1,901
Interest expense	(1,169)		(1,161)		(1,155)		(1,149)		(1,140)		(1,133)		(1,128)		(1,122)		(4,634)	(4,523)	(4,402)
Equity income (loss)	(17,283)		(16,345)		43,794		(9,495)		(9,537)		(7,635)		(13,765)		(8,662)		671	(39,599)	(15,335)
Net loss before income taxes	(21,701)		(24,085)		38,976		(15,452)		(14,271)		(11,628)		(19,022)		(14,603)		(22,262)	(59,524)	(5,149)
Income tax benefit (expense)	0		0		0		0		0		0		0		0		0	0	0
Net loss	$ (21,701)		$ (24,085)		$ 38,976		$ (15,452)		$ (14,271)		$ (11,628)		$ (19,022)		$ (14,603)		$ (22,262)	$ (59,524)	$ (5,149)
Net loss per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (1.07)	[1]	$ (1.18)	[1]	$ 1.92	[1]	$ (0.76)	[1]	$ (0.69)	[1]	$ (0.56)	[1]	$ (0.91)	[1]	$ (0.70)	[1]	$ (1.09)	$ (2.85)	$ (0.25)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (1.07)	[1]	$ (1.18)	[1]	$ 1.70	[1]	$ (0.76)	[1]	$ (0.69)	[1]	$ (0.56)	[1]	$ (0.91)	[1]	$ (0.70)	[1]	$ (1.09)	$ (2.85)	$ (0.25)
Weighted average shares used in computing net loss per share:
Basic (in shares)																	20,343	20,874	20,975
Diluted (in shares)																	20,343	20,874	20,975

[1] Per share amounts for the quarters have each been calculated separately. Accordingly, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual amounts because of differences in the average common shares outstanding during each period. Additionally, in regard to diluted per share amounts only, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual amounts because of the inclusion of the effect of potentially dilutive securities only in the periods in which such effect would have been dilutive, and because of the adjustments to net income (loss) for the dilutive effect of partner company common stock equivalents and convertible securities.