DEBT	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
DEBT [Abstract]
DEBT	DEBT Revolving Credit Agreement On May 2, 2012, NuStar Logistics replaced its $1.2 billion five-year revolving credit agreement (the 2007 Revolving Credit Agreement) with a new $1.5 billion five-year revolving credit agreement (the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement), which includes the ability to borrow up to the equivalent of $250.0 million in Euros. NuStar Logistics used borrowings of $588.6 million under the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement and cash on hand to repay in full the balance on the 2007 Revolving Credit Agreement. Obligations under the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement are guaranteed by NuStar Energy and NuPOP. NuPOP will be released from its guarantee of the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement when it no longer guarantees NuStar Logistics public debt instruments. The 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement contains customary restrictive covenants, including requiring us to maintain, as of the end of each rolling period, which consists of any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, a consolidated debt coverage ratio (consolidated indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement) not to exceed 5.00-to-1.00; provided, for the rolling period ending June 30th of each year, the maximum consolidated debt coverage ratio will increase to 5.50-to-1.00. Moreover, if we consummate an acquisition for an aggregate net consideration of at least $50.0 million, the maximum consolidated debt coverage ratio will increase to 5.50-to-1.00 for two rolling periods. On June 29, 2012, we amended the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement to permit unlimited investments in joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries, provided that no default exists, and to limit the amount of cash distributions for such joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries included in the calculation of the consolidated debt coverage ratio to 20% of consolidated EBITDA (the Amendment). In addition, the Amendment provides that we will be in compliance with the consolidated debt coverage ratio as long as it does not exceed 6.50-to-1.00 for the rolling period ended June 30, 2012 or 6.00-to-1.00 for the rolling period ending September 30, 2012. The Amendment further stipulates that if the Asphalt Operations were owned by an unconsolidated joint venture, the maximum allowed consolidated debt coverage would revert to 5.00-to-1.00. Therefore, as of September 30, 2012, our consolidated debt coverage ratio could not exceed 5.00-to-1.00. The requirement not to exceed a maximum consolidated debt coverage ratio may limit the amount we can borrow under the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement to an amount less than the total amount available for borrowing. As of September 30, 2012, our consolidated debt coverage ratio was 4.3x, and we had $1,152.9 million available for borrowing. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we borrowed an aggregate $1,772.0 million under our revolving credit agreements to fund working capital requirements, our capital expenditures and distributions. Additionally, we repaid $1,937.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 under our revolving credit agreements. These borrowings and repayments include borrowings under the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement to pay down the 2007 Revolving Credit Agreement and the $100.0 million of 6.875% senior notes due July 15, 2012. The 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement bears interest, at our option, based on either an alternative base rate or a LIBOR-based rate. The interest rate on the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement is subject to adjustment if our debt rating is downgraded (or subsequently upgraded) by certain credit rating agencies. As of September 30, 2012, our weighted average interest rate was 1.7%. UK Term Loan On June 29, 2012, our UK subsidiary, NuStar Terminals Limited, amended the £21.0 million amended and restated term loan agreement (the UK Term Loan) to be consistent with the covenant terms of the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement. As a result of this amendment to the UK Term Loan, the covenants and ratios of the UK Term Loan are substantially the same as the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement, as amended. NuStar Logistics’ 6.875% Senior Notes In July 2012, we repaid the $100.0 million of 6.875% senior notes due July 15, 2012 with borrowings under our 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement. NuStar Logistics’ 4.75% Senior Notes On February 2, 2012, NuStar Logistics issued $250.0 million of 4.75% senior notes under our May 13, 2010 shelf registration statement. The net proceeds of $247.4 million were used to repay the outstanding principal amount of NuPOP’s 7.75% senior notes due February 15, 2012. The interest on the 4.75% senior notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year beginning on August 1, 2012. The notes will mature on February 1, 2022. The 4.75% senior notes do not have sinking fund requirements. These notes rank equally with existing senior unsecured indebtedness of NuStar Logistics and contain restrictions on NuStar Logistics’ ability to incur secured indebtedness unless the same security is also provided for the benefit of holders of the senior notes. In addition, the senior notes limit NuStar Logistics’ ability to incur indebtedness secured by certain liens and to engage in certain sale-leaseback transactions. At the option of NuStar Logistics, the 4.75% senior notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time at a redemption price, which includes a make-whole premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The 4.75% senior notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by NuStar Energy and NuPOP. Gulf Opportunity Zone Revenue Bonds In 2008, 2010 and 2011, the Parish of St. James, Louisiana issued, pursuant to the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005, tax-exempt revenue bonds (GoZone Bonds) associated with our St. James terminal expansions. The GoZone Bonds bear interest based on a weekly tax-exempt bond market interest rate, and we pay interest monthly. The interest rate was 0.2% as of September 30, 2012. The proceeds are deposited with a trustee and disbursed to us upon our request for reimbursement of expenditures related to our St. James terminal expansions. We include the amount remaining in trust related to the GoZone Bonds in “Other long-term assets, net,” and the amount of bonds issued in “Long-term debt, less current portion” on the consolidated balance sheets. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we received $38.8 million from the trustee. As of September 30, 2012, the amount remaining in trust totaled $134.6 million. Line of Credit On July 2, 2012, our short-term line of credit that had an uncommitted borrowing capacity of up to $20.0 million was terminated. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we borrowed and repaid $71.9 million related to this line of credit. Credit Ratings The interest rates on the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement and NuStar Logistics’ $350.0 million of 7.65% senior notes are subject to adjustment if our debt rating is downgraded (or subsequently upgraded) by certain credit rating agencies. In July 2012, Standard & Poor’s lowered our credit rating to BB+ from BBB- and revised the outlook to Stable. In August 2012, Fitch Ratings also lowered our credit rating to BB+ from BBB- and revised the outlook to Stable. The interest rates applicable to the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement do not adjust unless both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s change their ratings. However, the downgrade by Standard & Poor’s caused the interest rate on NuStar Logistics’ $350.0 million of 7.65% senior notes to increase by 0.25%. These downgrades may also require us to provide additional credit support for certain contracts.

DEBT

Revolving Credit Agreement

On May 2, 2012, NuStar Logistics replaced its $1.2 billion five-year revolving credit agreement (the 2007 Revolving Credit Agreement) with a new $1.5 billion five-year revolving credit agreement (the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement), which includes the ability to borrow up to the equivalent of $250.0 million in Euros. NuStar Logistics used borrowings of $588.6 million under the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement and cash on hand to repay in full the balance on the 2007 Revolving Credit Agreement. Obligations under the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement are guaranteed by NuStar Energy and NuPOP. NuPOP will be released from its guarantee of the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement when it no longer guarantees NuStar Logistics public debt instruments.

The 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement contains customary restrictive covenants, including requiring us to maintain, as of the end of each rolling period, which consists of any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, a consolidated debt coverage ratio (consolidated indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement) not to exceed 5.00-to-1.00; provided, for the rolling period ending June 30th of each year, the maximum consolidated debt coverage ratio will increase to 5.50-to-1.00. Moreover, if we consummate an acquisition for an aggregate net consideration of at least $50.0 million, the maximum consolidated debt coverage ratio will increase to 5.50-to-1.00 for two rolling periods.

On June 29, 2012, we amended the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement to permit unlimited investments in joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries, provided that no default exists, and to limit the amount of cash distributions for such joint ventures and unconsolidated subsidiaries included in the calculation of the consolidated debt coverage ratio to 20% of consolidated EBITDA (the Amendment). In addition, the Amendment provides that we will be in compliance with the consolidated debt coverage ratio as long as it does not exceed 6.50-to-1.00 for the rolling period ended June 30, 2012 or 6.00-to-1.00 for the rolling period ending September 30, 2012. The Amendment further stipulates that if the Asphalt Operations were owned by an unconsolidated joint venture, the maximum allowed consolidated debt coverage would revert to 5.00-to-1.00. Therefore, as of September 30, 2012, our consolidated debt coverage ratio could not exceed 5.00-to-1.00. The requirement not to exceed a maximum consolidated debt coverage ratio may limit the amount we can borrow under the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement to an amount less than the total amount available for borrowing. As of September 30, 2012, our consolidated debt coverage ratio was 4.3x, and we had $1,152.9 million available for borrowing.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we borrowed an aggregate $1,772.0 million under our revolving credit agreements to fund working capital requirements, our capital expenditures and distributions. Additionally, we repaid $1,937.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 under our revolving credit agreements. These borrowings and repayments include borrowings under the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement to pay down the 2007 Revolving Credit Agreement and the $100.0 million of 6.875% senior notes due July 15, 2012.

The 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement bears interest, at our option, based on either an alternative base rate or a LIBOR-based rate. The interest rate on the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement is subject to adjustment if our debt rating is downgraded (or subsequently upgraded) by certain credit rating agencies. As of September 30, 2012, our weighted average interest rate was 1.7%.

UK Term Loan

On June 29, 2012, our UK subsidiary, NuStar Terminals Limited, amended the £21.0 million amended and restated term loan agreement (the UK Term Loan) to be consistent with the covenant terms of the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement. As a result of this amendment to the UK Term Loan, the covenants and ratios of the UK Term Loan are substantially the same as the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement, as amended.

NuStar Logistics’ 6.875% Senior Notes

In July 2012, we repaid the $100.0 million of 6.875% senior notes due July 15, 2012 with borrowings under our 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement.

NuStar Logistics’ 4.75% Senior Notes

On February 2, 2012, NuStar Logistics issued $250.0 million of 4.75% senior notes under our May 13, 2010 shelf registration statement. The net proceeds of $247.4 million were used to repay the outstanding principal amount of NuPOP’s 7.75% senior notes due February 15, 2012. The interest on the 4.75% senior notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year beginning on August 1, 2012. The notes will mature on February 1, 2022. The 4.75% senior notes do not have sinking fund requirements. These notes rank equally with existing senior unsecured indebtedness of NuStar Logistics and contain restrictions on NuStar Logistics’ ability to incur secured indebtedness unless the same security is also provided for the benefit of holders of the senior notes. In addition, the senior notes limit NuStar Logistics’ ability to incur indebtedness secured by certain liens and to engage in certain sale-leaseback transactions. At the option of NuStar Logistics, the 4.75% senior notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time at a redemption price, which includes a make-whole premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The 4.75% senior notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by NuStar Energy and NuPOP.

Gulf Opportunity Zone Revenue Bonds

In 2008, 2010 and 2011, the Parish of St. James, Louisiana issued, pursuant to the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005, tax-exempt revenue bonds (GoZone Bonds) associated with our St. James terminal expansions. The GoZone Bonds bear interest based on a weekly tax-exempt bond market interest rate, and we pay interest monthly. The interest rate was 0.2% as of September 30, 2012. The proceeds are deposited with a trustee and disbursed to us upon our request for reimbursement of expenditures related to our St. James terminal expansions. We include the amount remaining in trust related to the GoZone Bonds in “Other long-term assets, net,” and the amount of bonds issued in “Long-term debt, less current portion” on the consolidated balance sheets. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we received $38.8 million from the trustee. As of September 30, 2012, the amount remaining in trust totaled $134.6 million.

Line of Credit

On July 2, 2012, our short-term line of credit that had an uncommitted borrowing capacity of up to $20.0 million was terminated. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we borrowed and repaid $71.9 million related to this line of credit.

Credit Ratings

The interest rates on the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement and NuStar Logistics’ $350.0 million of 7.65% senior notes are subject to adjustment if our debt rating is downgraded (or subsequently upgraded) by certain credit rating agencies. In July 2012, Standard & Poor’s lowered our credit rating to BB+ from BBB- and revised the outlook to Stable. In August 2012, Fitch Ratings also lowered our credit rating to BB+ from BBB- and revised the outlook to Stable. The interest rates applicable to the 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement do not adjust unless both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s change their ratings. However, the downgrade by Standard & Poor’s caused the interest rate on NuStar Logistics’ $350.0 million of 7.65% senior notes to increase by 0.25%. These downgrades may also require us to provide additional credit support for certain contracts.