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DEBT Narrative (Details)
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12 Months Ended | 2 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2011
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2010
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2009
USD ($)
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Feb. 29, 2012
Issuance of Senior Notes [Member]
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Feb. 02, 2012
Issuance of Senior Notes [Member]
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2011
$1.2 billion revolving credit agreement
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2010
$1.2 billion revolving credit agreement
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2011
4.80% senior notes
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2010
4.80% senior notes
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2011
7.65% senior notes
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2010
7.65% senior notes
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2011
6.05% senior notes
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2010
6.05% senior notes
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2011
6.875% senior notes
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2010
6.875% senior notes
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2011
Logistics 6.05% and 6.875% senior notes
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Dec. 31, 2011
NuPOP senior notes
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2011
7.75% senior notes
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2010
7.75% senior notes
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2011
5.875% senior notes
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2010
5.875% senior notes
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2011
Short-term line of credit
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2010
Short-term line of credit
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2011
UK term loan
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2011
UK term loan
GBP (£)
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Dec. 31, 2010
UK term loan
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2011
Port Authority of Corpus Christi note payable
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2010
Port Authority of Corpus Christi note payable
USD ($)
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| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date Issued | February 2, 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest payments | $ 115,100,000 | $ 91,400,000 | $ 95,300,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maximum borrowing capacity | 1,200,000,000 | 20,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Term | five-year | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maximum available for Euro borrowings | 250,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate at period end | 1.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate during period | 0.90% | 2.50% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current remaining borrowing capacity | 534,100,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Covenant terms | as of the end of each rolling period, consisting of any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, a consolidated debt coverage ratio (consolidated indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the 2007 Revolving Credit Agreement) not to exceed 5.00-to-1.00; provided, that if at any time NuStar Energy or any of its restricted subsidiaries consummates an acquisition for an aggregate net consideration of at least $100.0 million, then for two rolling periods, the last day of which immediately follows the day on which such acquisition is consummated, the maximum consolidated debt coverage ratio will increase to 5.50-to-1.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt coverage ratio | 4.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Letters of credit issued | 444,100,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maximum letters of credit allowed | 500,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount outstanding | 2,293,030,000 | 2,137,080,000 | 229,295,000 | 188,282,000 | 450,000,000 | 450,000,000 | 350,000,000 | 350,000,000 | 229,932,000 | 229,932,000 | 100,000,000 | 100,000,000 | 500,000,000 | 250,000,000 | 250,000,000 | 250,000,000 | 250,000,000 | 32,582,000 | 21,000,000 | 32,789,000 | 874,000 | 1,784,000 | ||||||
| Stated interest rate | 4.75% | 4.80% | 7.65% | 6.05% | 6.875% | 7.75% | 5.875% | 6.65% | 6.65% | 8.00% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate terms | The interest rate payable on the 7.65% senior notes is subject to adjustment if our debt rating is downgraded (or subsequently upgraded) by certain credit rating agencies. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in control provision | The 6.05% and the 6.875% senior notes also include a change-in-control provision, which requires that (1) an investment-grade entity own, directly or indirectly, 51% of our general partner interests; and (2) we (or an investment-grade entity) own, directly or indirectly, all of the general partner and limited partner interests in NuStar Logistics. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of debt when acquired | 555,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maturity Date | Feb. 01, 2022 | Dec. 10, 2012 | Sep. 01, 2020 | Mar. 15, 2018 | Mar. 15, 2013 | Jul. 15, 2012 | Feb. 15, 2012 | Jun. 01, 2013 | Dec. 11, 2012 | Dec. 11, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||
| Description of Use of Proceeds | repay the outstanding principal amount of the 7.75% senior notes due February 15, 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Face value | 250,000,000 | 12,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Frequency of payments | annual | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payment amount | 1,200,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount borrowed during the period | 33,800,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount repaid during the period | 33,800,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount outstanding | $ 0 | $ 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||