v2.4.0.6
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Narrative (Details) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]    
Cash equivalents maximum maturity period, in months 3  
Intangible assets, useful life, minimum, in years 5  
Intangible assets, useful life, maximum, in years 47  
Equity method investment, ownership percentage 50.00%  
Equity method investment, ownership percentage by joint venture partner 50.00%  
Equity method investment, difference between carrying amount and underlying equity $ 43,300,000 $ 43,600,000
Equity method investment, difference between carrying amount and underlying equity, amortization period, in years 25  
Unrecognized tax benefits 0 0
Tax years subject to examination For U.S. federal and state purposes, tax years subject to examination are 2008 through 2011 and for our major non-U.S. jurisdictions, tax years subject to examination are 2008 through 2011, both according to standard statute of limitations. NuStar has waived the statute of limitations for limited items for the tax years 2006 and 2007 as a result of an ongoing income tax audit in Canada.  
Asset retirement obligation $ 600,000 $ 600,000
Environmental remediation costs, time period used, in years 20  
Forward-starting interest rate swaps, description of variable rate basis three month USD LIBOR