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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Table 2 (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Revenues $ 1,735,692 $ 1,234,616
Costs and expenses 1,687,371 1,178,885
Operating income (loss) 48,321 55,731
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries 0 0
Equity in earnings of joint venture 2,386 2,388
Interest expense, net (22,350) (20,457)
Other income (expense), net 1,368 (5,499)
Income (loss) before income tax expense 29,725 32,163
Income tax expense 3,471 3,647
Net income (loss) 26,254 28,516
Less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (97) 14
Net income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P. 26,351 28,502
Comprehensive income (loss) (10,772) 40,499
Less comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest 1,022 566
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P. (11,794) 39,933
NuStar Energy
    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Revenues 0 0
Costs and expenses 435 415
Operating income (loss) (435) (415)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries 26,786 28,917
Equity in earnings of joint venture 0 0
Interest expense, net 0 0
Other income (expense), net 0 0
Income (loss) before income tax expense 26,351 28,502
Income tax expense 0 0
Net income (loss) 26,351 28,502
Less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest 0 0
Net income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P. 26,351 28,502
Comprehensive income (loss) 26,351 28,502
Less comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest 0 0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P. 26,351 28,502
NuStar Logistics
    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Revenues 80,221 66,158
Costs and expenses 46,374 43,272
Operating income (loss) 33,847 22,886
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries (25,171) (16,990)
Equity in earnings of joint venture 0 0
Interest expense, net (18,078) (13,788)
Other income (expense), net 189 57
Income (loss) before income tax expense (9,213) (7,835)
Income tax expense 90 363
Net income (loss) (9,303) (8,198)
Less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest 0 0
Net income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P. (9,303) (8,198)
Comprehensive income (loss) (5,582) (5,320)
Less comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest 0 0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P. (5,582) (5,320)
NuPOP
    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Revenues 49,092 50,347
Costs and expenses 34,957 35,973
Operating income (loss) 14,135 14,374
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries 25,905 28,520
Equity in earnings of joint venture 0 0
Interest expense, net (4,171) (5,792)
Other income (expense), net 182 13
Income (loss) before income tax expense 36,051 37,115
Income tax expense 2 0
Net income (loss) 36,049 37,115
Less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest 0 0
Net income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P. 36,049 37,115
Comprehensive income (loss) 36,049 37,115
Less comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest 0 0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P. 36,049 37,115
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (a)
    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Revenues 1,612,603 1,130,306
Costs and expenses 1,611,826 1,111,869
Operating income (loss) 777 18,437
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries 36,057 48,545
Equity in earnings of joint venture 2,386 2,388
Interest expense, net (101) (877)
Other income (expense), net 997 (5,569)
Income (loss) before income tax expense 40,116 62,924
Income tax expense 3,379 3,284
Net income (loss) 36,737 59,640
Less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (97) 14
Net income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P. 36,834 59,626
Comprehensive income (loss) (4,010) 68,745
Less comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest 1,022 566
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P. (5,032) 68,179
Eliminations
    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Revenues (6,224) (12,195)
Costs and expenses (6,221) (12,644)
Operating income (loss) (3) 449
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries (63,577) (88,992)
Equity in earnings of joint venture 0 0
Interest expense, net 0 0
Other income (expense), net 0 0
Income (loss) before income tax expense (63,580) (88,543)
Income tax expense 0 0
Net income (loss) (63,580) (88,543)
Less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest 0 0
Net income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P. (63,580) (88,543)
Comprehensive income (loss) (63,580) (88,543)
Less comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest 0 0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P. $ (63,580) $ (88,543)