v2.4.0.6

NET INCOME PER UNIT (Tables) | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2012
NET INCOME PER UNIT [Abstract] |
Schedule of Net Income Per Unit [Text Block] | 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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