v2.4.0.8

PARTNERS' EQUITY Table 5 (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
Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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
Total cash distributions (distribution earned) | $ 98,051 | $ 98,051 | $ 98,051 | $ 98,051 |  |  |  |  | $ 392,204 | $ 374,254 | $ 331,506
Distribution date of record (distribution earned) | Feb. 10, 2014 | Nov. 11, 2013 | Aug. 05, 2013 | May 06, 2013 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Distribution payment date (distribution earned) | Feb. 14, 2014 | Nov. 14, 2013 | Aug. 09, 2013 | May 10, 2013 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Distribution announcement date (distribution earned) | Jan. 30, 2014 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

X
- Definition Distribution date of record for distribution earned during the reporting period. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | ns_
Data Type: | xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Date of announcement for distribution of cash, stock, or units to a member or limited partner of limited liability company (LLC) or limited partnership (LP), in CCYY-MM-DD format. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ns_DistributionMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerAnouncementDate
Namespace Prefix: | ns_
Data Type: | xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Distribution payment date for distribution earned during the reporting period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ns_DistributionPaymentDate
Namespace Prefix: | ns_
Data Type: | xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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 Total amount of distributions earned during the period for each class of partners. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ns_TotalCashDistributions
Namespace Prefix: | ns_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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