v2.4.0.6
PARTNERS' EQUITY (Tables)
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
PARTNERS' EQUITY [Abstract]  
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 June 30, 2012
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 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
$
2,751,062

 
$
13,156

 
$
2,764,218

 
$
2,663,017

 
$
15,566

 
$
2,678,583

Net (loss) income
(246,737
)
 
(73
)
 
(246,810
)
 
92,599

 
6

 
92,605

Other comprehensive
(loss) income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation
adjustment
(3,815
)
 
(235
)
 
(4,050
)
 
(842
)
 
(827
)
 
(1,669
)
Net unrealized loss
on cash flow hedges
(12,288
)
 
—

 
(12,288
)
 
(32,162
)
 
—

 
(32,162
)
Net loss reclassified into
income on cash flow
hedges
9,147

 
—

 
9,147

 
1,225

 
—

 
1,225

Total other comprehensive
(loss) income
(6,956
)
 
(235
)
 
(7,191
)
 
(31,779
)
 
(827
)
 
(32,606
)
Cash distributions to
partners
(89,076
)
 
—

 
(89,076
)
 
(79,616
)
 
—

 
(79,616
)
Other
(24
)
 
—

 
(24
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Ending balance
$
2,408,269

 
$
12,848

 
$
2,421,117

 
$
2,644,221

 
$
14,745

 
$
2,658,966


 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2012
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 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 (loss) income
(220,386
)
 
(170
)
 
(220,556
)
 
121,101

 
20

 
121,121

Other comprehensive
(loss) income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation
adjustment
4,096

 
884

 
4,980

 
7,711

 
(275
)
 
7,436

Net unrealized loss
on cash flow hedges
(66,111
)
 
—

 
(66,111
)
 
(29,284
)
 
—

 
(29,284
)
Net loss reclassified into
income on cash flow
hedges
16,914

 
—

 
16,914

 
1,225

 
—

 
1,225

Total other comprehensive
(loss) income
(45,101
)
 
884

 
(44,217
)
 
(20,348
)
 
(275
)
 
(20,623
)
Cash distributions to
partners
(178,152
)
 
—

 
(178,152
)
 
(159,232
)
 
—

 
(159,232
)
Other
(293
)
 
—

 
(293
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Ending balance
$
2,408,269

 
$
12,848

 
$
2,421,117

 
$
2,644,221

 
$
14,745

 
$
2,658,966
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 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
(Thousands of Dollars)
Net (loss) income attributable to NuStar Energy L.P.
$
(246,737
)
 
$
92,599

 
$
(220,386
)
 
$
121,101

Less general partner incentive distribution
9,816

 
8,963

 
19,632

 
17,531

Net (loss) income after general partner
incentive distribution
(256,553
)
 
83,636

 
(240,018
)
 
103,570

General partner interest
2
%
 
2
%
 
2
%
 
2
%
General partner allocation of net (loss) income after
general partner incentive distribution
(5,131
)
 
1,673

 
(4,800
)
 
2,071

General partner incentive distribution
9,816

 
8,963

 
19,632

 
17,531

Net income applicable to general partner
$
4,685

 
$
10,636

 
$
14,832

 
$
19,602
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 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
(Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Unit Data)
General partner interest
$
1,782

 
$
1,627

 
$
3,564

 
$
3,219

General partner incentive distribution
9,816

 
8,963

 
19,632

 
17,531

Total general partner distribution
11,598

 
10,590

 
23,196

 
20,750

Limited partners’ distribution
77,478

 
70,749

 
154,956

 
140,205

Total cash distributions
$
89,076

 
$
81,339

 
$
178,152

 
$
160,955

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash distributions per unit applicable
to limited partners
$
1.095

 
$
1.095

 
$
2.190

 
$
2.170