v2.4.0.6
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS AND LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS AND LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS [Abstract]  
Disclosure of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table Text Block]
The number of awards granted under the above-described plans were as follows:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
Granted
 
Vesting
 
Granted
 
Vesting
 
Granted
 
Vesting
2000 LTIP:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performance awards
27,111

 
(a)
 
21,380

 
(a)
 
23,233

 
(a)
Restricted units
208,195

 
1/5 per year
 
191,430

 
1/5 per year
 
194,973

 
1/5 per year
Restricted units (grants to non-employee directors of NuStar GP, LLC)
6,760

 
1/3 per year
 
3,938

 
1/3 per year
 
5,076

 
1/3 per year
UIP:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted units (b)
14,005

 
1/5 per year
 
11,520

 
1/5 per year
 
10,692

 
1/5 per year
2006 LTIP:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted units
24,970

 
1/5 per year
 
21,935

 
1/5 per year
 
24,290

 
1/5 per year
Restricted units (grants to non-employee directors of NuStar GP Holdings) (c)
9,987

 
1/3 per year
 
6,156

 
1/3 per year
 
8,627

 
1/3 per year
 
(a)
Performance awards vest 1/3 per year if certain performance measures are met.
(b)
The UIP restricted unit grants include 2,880, 2,460 and 2,382 restricted unit awards granted to certain international employees for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, that vest 1/3 per year, as defined in the award agreements.
(c)
We do not reimburse NuStar GP, LLC for compensation expense relating to these awards.
Schedule of Compensation Expense for Long Term Incentive Plans and Benefit Plans [Table Text Block]
Our share of compensation expense related to the various long-term incentive plans and benefit plans described above is as follows: 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
(Thousands of Dollars)
Long-term incentive plans
$
8,521

 
$
20,349

 
$
15,060

Benefit plans
$
13,684

 
$
13,129

 
$
9,359