v2.4.0.6

DISPOSITIONS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale or disposition of assets	$ 31,006	$ 289
Five Terminal Sale [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Date	April 16, 2012
Number of terminals sold	5.0
Aggregate storage capacity of terminals sold, in barrels	1,800,000
Proceeds from sale or disposition of assets	$ 30,800

X

- Definition

Number of terminal or storage facilities sold during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ns_SoldNumberOfTerminals
Namespace Prefix:	ns_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Aggregate storage capacity of tanks sold, in barrels.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ns_SoldStorageCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	ns_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The date that the entity disposed of a business or a group of assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DisposalDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	us-types:dateStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The cash inflow from the sale of property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3179-108585



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 15

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 16

-Subparagraph c

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration