v2.4.0.6
PARTNERS' EQUITY
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
PARTNERS' EQUITY [Abstract]  
PARTNERS' EQUITY
PARTNERS’ EQUITY

Issuance of Common Units
On September 10, 2012, we issued 7,130,000 common units representing limited partner interests at a price of $48.94 per unit. We used the net proceeds from this offering of $344.1 million, including a contribution of $7.1 million from our general partner to maintain its 2% general partner interest, for general partnership purposes, including repayments of outstanding borrowings under our 2012 Revolving Credit Agreement and working capital purposes.

Partners Equity Activity
The following table summarizes changes in the carrying amount of equity attributable to NuStar Energy L.P. partners and noncontrolling interest:
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
Three Months Ended September 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
$
2,408,269

 
$
12,848

 
$
2,421,117

 
$
2,644,221

 
$
14,745

 
$
2,658,966

Net (loss) income
4,389

 
(47
)
 
4,342

 
70,158

 
123

 
70,281

Other comprehensive
(loss) income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation
adjustment
6,608

 
113

 
6,721

 
(22,165
)
 
(2,186
)
 
(24,351
)
Net unrealized loss
on cash flow hedges
(24,454
)
 

 
(24,454
)
 
(109,632
)
 

 
(109,632
)
Net loss reclassified into
income on cash flow
hedges
9,373

 

 
9,373

 
7,733

 

 
7,733

Total other comprehensive
(loss) income
(8,473
)
 
113

 
(8,360
)
 
(124,064
)
 
(2,186
)
 
(126,250
)
Cash distributions to
partners
(89,076
)
 

 
(89,076
)
 
(81,339
)
 

 
(81,339
)
Issuance of common units,
including contribution
from general partner
344,076

 

 
344,076

 
3,391

 

 
3,391

Ending balance
$
2,659,185

 
$
12,914

 
$
2,672,099

 
$
2,512,367

 
$
12,682

 
$
2,525,049


 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
Nine Months Ended September 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
(215,997
)
 
(217
)
 
(216,214
)
 
191,259

 
143

 
191,402

Other comprehensive
(loss) income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation
adjustment
10,704

 
997

 
11,701

 
(14,454
)
 
(2,461
)
 
(16,915
)
Net unrealized loss
on cash flow hedges
(90,565
)
 

 
(90,565
)
 
(138,916
)
 

 
(138,916
)
Net loss reclassified into
income on cash flow
hedges
26,287

 

 
26,287

 
8,958

 

 
8,958

Total other comprehensive
(loss) income
(53,574
)
 
997

 
(52,577
)
 
(144,412
)
 
(2,461
)
 
(146,873
)
Cash distributions to
partners
(267,228
)
 

 
(267,228
)
 
(240,571
)
 

 
(240,571
)
Issuance of common units,
including contribution
from general partner
344,076

 

 
344,076

 
3,391

 

 
3,391

Other
(293
)
 

 
(293
)
 

 

 

Ending balance
$
2,659,185

 
$
12,914

 
$
2,672,099

 
$
2,512,367

 
$
12,682

 
$
2,525,049



Allocations of Net Income
Our partnership agreement, as amended, sets forth the calculation to be used to determine the amount and priority of cash distributions that the common unitholders and the general partner will receive. The partnership agreement also contains provisions for the allocation of net income and loss to the unitholders and the general partner. For purposes of maintaining partner capital accounts, the partnership agreement specifies that items of income and loss shall be allocated among the partners in accordance with their respective percentage interests. Normal allocations according to percentage interests are made after giving effect to priority income allocations, if any, in an amount equal to incentive cash distributions allocated 100% to the general partner. The following table details the calculation of net income applicable to the general partner:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
(Thousands of Dollars)
Net (loss) income attributable to NuStar Energy L.P.
$
4,389

 
$
70,158

 
$
(215,997
)
 
$
191,259

Less general partner incentive distribution
10,805

 
8,972

 
30,437

 
26,503

Net (loss) income after general partner
incentive distribution
(6,416
)
 
61,186

 
(246,434
)
 
164,756

General partner interest
2
%
 
2
%
 
2
%
 
2
%
General partner allocation of net (loss) income after
general partner incentive distribution
(128
)
 
1,223

 
(4,928
)
 
3,294

General partner incentive distribution
10,805

 
8,972

 
30,437

 
26,503

Net income applicable to general partner
$
10,677

 
$
10,195

 
$
25,509

 
$
29,797


Cash Distributions
On August 10, 2012, we paid a quarterly cash distribution totaling $89.1 million, or $1.095 per unit, related to the second quarter of 2012. On October 25, 2012, we announced a quarterly cash distribution of $1.095 per unit related to the third quarter of 2012. This distribution will be paid on November 14, 2012 to unitholders of record on November 9, 2012 and will total $98.1 million.

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 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
(Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Unit Data)
General partner interest
$
1,961

 
$
1,628

 
$
5,525

 
$
4,847

General partner incentive distribution
10,805

 
8,972

 
30,437

 
26,503

Total general partner distribution
12,766

 
10,600

 
35,962

 
31,350

Limited partners’ distribution
85,285

 
70,814

 
240,241

 
211,019

Total cash distributions
$
98,051

 
$
81,414

 
$
276,203

 
$
242,369

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash distributions per unit applicable
to limited partners
$
1.095

 
$
1.095

 
$
3.285

 
$
3.265