v2.4.0.6
PARTNERS' EQUITY (Tables)
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
PARTNERS' EQUITY [Abstract]  
Schedule of Changes in Partners' Equity
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
Schedule of Calculation of Net Income Applicable to General Partner [Text Block]
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
Schedule of Distributions To General and Limited Partners [Text Block]
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