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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Table 3 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, 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
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
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
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment									(19,364)	10,677	(18,431)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges									7,213	(94,269)	(53,452)
Net loss (gain) reclassified into income on cash flow hedges									7,570	53,232	(5,030)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)									(4,581)	(30,360)	(76,913)
Comprehensive (loss) income									(289,252)	(257,597)	144,688
Less comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest									(10,953)	477	(2,866)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P.									(278,299)	(258,074)	147,554
NuStar Energy
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									(273,770)	(226,616)	221,461
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment									0	0	0
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges									0	0	0
Net loss (gain) reclassified into income on cash flow hedges									0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)									0	0	0
Comprehensive (loss) income									(273,770)	(226,616)	221,461
Less comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest									0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P.									(273,770)	(226,616)	221,461
NuStar Logistics
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									9,682	(336,902)	77,826
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment									(3,090)	0	0
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges									7,213	(17,069)	(84,199)
Net loss (gain) reclassified into income on cash flow hedges									7,570	1,749	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)									11,693	(15,320)	(84,199)
Comprehensive (loss) income									21,375	(352,222)	(6,373)
Less comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest									0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P.									21,375	(352,222)	(6,373)
NuPOP
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									(281,320)	112,836	145,219
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment									0	0	0
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges									0	0	0
Net loss (gain) reclassified into income on cash flow hedges									0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)									0	0	0
Comprehensive (loss) income									(281,320)	112,836	145,219
Less comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest									0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P.									(281,320)	112,836	145,219
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									(623,750)	(185,005)	266,549
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment									(16,274)	10,677	(18,431)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges									0	(77,200)	30,747
Net loss (gain) reclassified into income on cash flow hedges									0	51,483	(5,030)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)									(16,274)	(15,040)	7,286
Comprehensive (loss) income									(640,024)	(200,045)	273,835
Less comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest									(10,953)	477	(2,866)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P.									(629,071)	(200,522)	276,701
Eliminations
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									884,487	408,450	(489,454)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment									0	0	0
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges									0	0	0
Net loss (gain) reclassified into income on cash flow hedges									0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)									0	0	0
Comprehensive (loss) income									884,487	408,450	(489,454)
Less comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest									0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P.									$ 884,487	$ 408,450	$ (489,454)