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NET INCOME PER UNIT | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2012
NET INCOME PER UNIT [Abstract] |
NET INCOME PER UNIT | NET INCOME PER UNIT We have identified the general partner interest and incentive distribution rights (IDR) as participating securities and use the two-class method when calculating the net income per unit applicable to limited partners, which is based on the weighted-average number of common units outstanding during the period. Basic and diluted net income per unit applicable to limited partners are the same because we have no potentially dilutive securities outstanding. The following table details the calculation of earnings per unit:
| Three Months Ended September 30, |  | Nine Months Ended September 30,
| 2012 |  | 2011 |  | 2012 |  | 2011
| (Thousands of Dollars, Except Unit and Per Unit Data)
Net (loss) income attributable to NuStar Energy L.P. | $ | 4,389 |  |  | $ | 70,158 |  |  | $ | (215,997 | ) |  | $ | 191,259 |
Less general partner distribution (including IDR) | 12,766 |  |  | 10,600 |  |  | 35,962 |  |  | 31,350 |
Less limited partner distribution | 85,285 |  |  | 70,814 |  |  | 240,241 |  |  | 211,019 |
Distributions (greater than) less than earnings | $ | (93,662 | ) |  | $ | (11,256 | ) |  | $ | (492,200 | ) |  | $ | (51,110 | )
General partner earnings: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Distributions | $ | 12,766 |  |  | $ | 10,600 |  |  | $ | 35,962 |  |  | $ | 31,350 |
Allocation of distributions (greater than) less than earnings (2%) | (1,874 | ) |  | (225 | ) |  | (9,846 | ) |  | (1,023 | )
Total | $ | 10,892 |  |  | $ | 10,375 |  |  | $ | 26,116 |  |  | $ | 30,327 |
Limited partner earnings: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Distributions | $ | 85,285 |  |  | $ | 70,814 |  |  | $ | 240,241 |  |  | $ | 211,019 |
Allocation of distributions (greater than) less than earnings (98%) | (91,788 | ) |  | (11,031 | ) |  | (482,354 | ) |  | (50,087 | )
Total | $ | (6,503 | ) |  | $ | 59,783 |  |  | $ | (242,113 | ) |  | $ | 160,932 |
Weighted-average limited partner units outstanding | 72,383,578 |  |  | 64,612,423 |  |  | 71,302,538 |  |  | 64,611,181 |
Net (loss) income per unit applicable to limited partners | $ | (0.09 | ) |  | $ | 0.92 |  |  | $ | (3.40 | ) |  | $ | 2.49 |

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- Definition The entire disclosure for earnings per share. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7655603&loc=d3e1252-109256 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 52 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=16381557&loc=d3e4984-109258 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7655603&loc=d3e1278-109256 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 128 -Paragraph 40 -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 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.21) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
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