v2.4.0.8

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2012 | Mar. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues | $ 785,387 | $ 778,145 | $ 902,014 | $ 998,186 | $ 982,890 | $ 1,591,730 | $ 1,764,667 | $ 1,606,449 | $ 3,463,732 | $ 5,945,736 | $ 6,257,629
Operating income (loss) | (228,202) | 68,751 | 76,972 | 63,358 | 60,125 | 62,750 | (201,925) | 60,882 | (19,121) | (18,168) | 310,883
Income (loss) from continuing operations | (275,502) | 35,682 | 34,712 | 19,599 | 18,892 | 17,000 | (241,871) | 39,978 | (185,509) | (166,001) | 218,674
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | (99,778) | (2,446) | (1,743) | 4,805 | (29,915) | (12,658) | (4,939) | (13,724) | (99,162) | (61,236) | 2,927
Net income (loss) | $ (375,280) | $ 33,236 | $ 32,969 | $ 24,404 | $ (11,023) | $ 4,342 | $ (246,810) | $ 26,254 | $ (284,671) | $ (227,237) | $ 221,601
Net income (loss) per unit applicable to limited partners: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Continuing operations | $ (3.60) | $ 0.31 | $ 0.30 | $ 0.10 | $ 0.10 | $ 0.08 | $ (3.48) | $ 0.41 | $ (2.89) | $ (2.79) | $ 2.74
Discontinued operations | $ (1.13) | $ (0.03) | $ (0.02) | $ 0.07 | $ (0.37) | $ (0.17) | $ (0.08) | $ (0.18) | $ (1.11) | $ (0.82) | $ 0.04
Total | $ (4.73) | $ 0.28 | $ 0.28 | $ 0.17 | $ (0.27) | $ (0.09) | $ (3.56) | $ 0.23 | $ (4.00) | $ (3.61) | $ 2.78
Cash distributions per unit applicable to limited partners | $ 1.095 | $ 1.095 | $ 1.095 | $ 1.095 | $ 1.095 | $ 1.095 | $ 1.095 | $ 1.095 | $ 4.380 | $ 4.380 | $ 4.360

X
- Definition Distribution amount per limited partnership unit outstanding earned during the period, and to be paid in the subsequent quarter. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ns_DistributionPerLimitedPartnershipUnitOutstanding
Namespace Prefix: | ns_
Data Type: | num:perShareItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Per Outstanding Limited Partnership Unit, Basic, Net of Tax + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ns_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsPerOutstandingLimitedPartnershipUnitBasicNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix: | ns_
Data Type: | num:perShareItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | ns_QuarterlyFinancialInformationLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | ns_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 19 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7656940&loc=SL4569616-111683 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Per unit of ownership amount after tax of income (loss) from continuing operations available to limited partnership (LP) unit-holder in a publicly trade limited partnership (LP) or master limited partnership (MLP). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187171-122770 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 4 -Section F + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerOutstandingLimitedPartnershipUnitBasicNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:perShareItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of income (loss) from a disposal group, net of income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items after deduction or consideration of the amount allocable to noncontrolling interests. Includes, net of tax, income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 19 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7656940&loc=SL4569616-111683 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Per unit of ownership amount after tax of income (loss) available to outstanding limited partnership (LP) unit-holder. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187171-122770 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 4 -Section F + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NetIncomeLossPerOutstandingLimitedPartnershipUnitBasicNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:perShareItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 4K -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31814832&loc=SL4591552-111686 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 19 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7656940&loc=SL4569616-111683 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1A -Subparagraph (a),(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=18733093&loc=SL4573702-111684 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 4J -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31814832&loc=SL4591551-111686 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration