| Schedule of Changes in Partners' Equity |
The following table summarizes changes in the carrying amount of equity attributable to NuStar Energy L.P. partners and noncontrolling interest: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 | | Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 | | NuStar Energy L.P. Partners’ Equity | | Noncontrolling Interest | | Total Partners’ Equity | | NuStar Energy L.P. Partners’ Equity | | Noncontrolling Interest | | Total Partners’ Equity | | (Thousands of Dollars) | Beginning balance | $ | 2,852,201 |
| | $ | 12,134 |
| | $ | 2,864,335 |
| | $ | 2,702,700 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 2,702,700 |
| Acquisition | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 15,000 |
| | 15,000 |
| Net income | 26,351 |
| | (97 | ) | | 26,254 |
| | 28,502 |
| | 14 |
| | 28,516 |
| Other comprehensive income (loss): | | | | | | | | | | | | Foreign currency translation adjustment | 7,911 |
| | 1,119 |
| | 9,030 |
| | 8,553 |
| | 552 |
| | 9,105 |
| Net unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges | (53,823 | ) | | — |
| | (53,823 | ) | | 2,878 |
| | — |
| | 2,878 |
| Net loss reclassified into income on cash flow hedges | 7,767 |
| | — |
| | 7,767 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| Total other comprehensive (loss) income | (38,145 | ) | | 1,119 |
| | (37,026 | ) | | 11,431 |
| | 552 |
| | 11,983 |
| Cash distributions to partners | (89,076 | ) | | — |
| | (89,076 | ) | | (79,616 | ) | | — |
| | (79,616 | ) | Other | (269 | ) | | — |
| | (269 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| Ending balance | $ | 2,751,062 |
| | $ | 13,156 |
| | $ | 2,764,218 |
| | $ | 2,663,017 |
| | $ | 15,566 |
| | $ | 2,678,583 |
|
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| Schedule of Calculation of Net Income Applicable to General Partner [Text Block] |
The following table details the calculation of net income applicable to the general partner: | | | | | | | | | | Three Months Ended March 31, | | 2012 | | 2011 | | (Thousands of Dollars) | Net income attributable to NuStar Energy L.P. | $ | 26,351 |
| | $ | 28,502 |
| Less general partner incentive distribution | 9,816 |
| | 8,568 |
| Net income after general partner incentive distribution | 16,535 |
| | 19,934 |
| General partner interest | 2 | % | | 2 | % | General partner allocation of net income after general partner incentive distribution | 331 |
| | 398 |
| General partner incentive distribution | 9,816 |
| | 8,568 |
| Net income applicable to general partner | $ | 10,147 |
| | $ | 8,966 |
|
|
| Schedule of Distributions To General and Limited Partners [Text Block] |
The following table reflects the allocation of total cash distributions to the general and limited partners applicable to the period in which the distributions were earned: | | | | | | | | | | Three Months Ended March 31, | | 2012 | | 2011 | | (Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Unit Data) | General partner interest | $ | 1,782 |
| | $ | 1,592 |
| General partner incentive distribution | 9,816 |
| | 8,568 |
| Total general partner distribution | 11,598 |
| | 10,160 |
| Limited partners’ distribution | 77,478 |
| | 69,456 |
| Total cash distributions | $ | 89,076 |
| | $ | 79,616 |
| | | | | Cash distributions per unit applicable to limited partners | $ | 1.095 |
| | $ | 1.075 |
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