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RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]  
Related Party Transactions
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The following table summarizes information pertaining to related party transactions:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Thousands of Dollars)
Revenues
$
929

 
$
1,241

Operating expenses
$
28,659

 
$
31,713

General and administrative expenses
$
14,094

 
$
18,784

Interest income
$
1,055

 
$
1,122

Revenues included in discontinued operations, net of tax
$
405

 
$
770

Expenses included in discontinued operations, net of tax
$
805

 
$
1,660



NuStar GP, LLC
Our operations are managed by NuStar GP, LLC, the general partner of our general partner. Under a services agreement between NuStar Energy and NuStar GP, LLC, employees of NuStar GP, LLC perform services for our U.S. operations. Certain of our wholly owned subsidiaries employ persons who perform services for our international operations. Employees of NuStar GP, LLC provide services to both NuStar Energy and NuStar GP Holdings; therefore, we reimburse NuStar GP, LLC for all employee costs, other than the expenses allocated to NuStar GP Holdings.

We had a payable to NuStar GP, LLC of $13.6 million and $8.3 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, with both amounts representing payroll, employee benefit plan expenses and unit-based compensation. We also had a long-term payable to NuStar GP, LLC as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 of $39.4 million and $41.1 million, respectively, related to amounts payable for retiree medical benefits and other post-employment benefits.

Asphalt JV
As a result of the Asphalt JV Sale, we ceased reporting transactions between us and Asphalt JV as related party transactions in our consolidated financial statements on February 26, 2014.

Financing Agreements and Credit Support. Effective upon the Asphalt JV Sale, the NuStar JV Facility was converted into the NuStar Term Loan. The NuStar Term Loan will step down from $190.0 million over time: first, to $175.0 million on December 31, 2014 and then to $150.0 million on September 30, 2015. While the NuStar Term Loan does not provide for any other scheduled payments, Asphalt JV is required to use all of its excess cash, as defined in the NuStar Term Loan, to repay the NuStar Term Loan. Like the NuStar JV Facility, the NuStar Term Loan must be repaid in full on September 28, 2019. All repayments of the NuStar Term Loan, including those scheduled in 2014 and 2015, are subject to Asphalt JV meeting certain restrictive requirements contained in its third-party credit facility. The carrying value of the NuStar Term Loan is included in “Other long-term assets, net” on the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2014.

NuStar Energy will continue to provide credit support, such as guarantees, letters of credit and cash collateral, as applicable, of up to $150.0 million. Our obligation to provide credit support will be reduced by a minimum of $25.0 million beginning February 2016 and will terminate in full no later than September 28, 2019. As of March 31, 2014, we provided guarantees for commodity purchases, lease obligations and certain utilities for Asphalt JV with an aggregate maximum potential exposure of $111.0 million, plus two guarantees to suppliers that do not specify a maximum amount, but for which we believe any amounts due would be minimal. A majority of these guarantees have no expiration date. As of March 31, 2014, we have also provided $11.6 million in letters of credit on behalf of Asphalt JV. In the event we are obligated to perform under any of these guarantees or letters of credit, the amount paid by us will be treated as additional borrowings under the NuStar Term Loan.

Crude Oil Supply Agreement. We were a party to a crude oil supply agreement with Asphalt JV (the Asphalt JV Crude Oil Supply Agreement) that committed Asphalt JV to purchase from us a minimum number of barrels of crude oil in a given year. The Asphalt JV Crude Oil Supply Agreement terminated effective January 1, 2014. As of December 31, 2013, we had a receivable from Asphalt JV of $50.7 million, mainly associated with crude oil sales under the Asphalt JV Crude Oil Supply Agreement.

Services Agreement Between Asphalt JV and NuStar GP, LLC. In conjunction with the Asphalt Sale, NuStar GP, LLC entered into a services agreement with Asphalt JV, effective September 28, 2012 (the Asphalt JV Services Agreement). The Asphalt JV Services Agreement provides that NuStar GP, LLC will furnish certain administrative and other operating services necessary to conduct the business of Asphalt JV. Asphalt JV will compensate NuStar GP, LLC for these services through an annual fee totaling $10.0 million, subject to adjustment based on the annual merit increase percentage applicable to NuStar GP, LLC employees for the most recently completed contract year. Effective upon the Asphalt JV Sale, the Asphalt JV Services Agreement was amended and will terminate on June 30, 2014, with the option to extend the term for an additional three months for certain services with 30 days prior written notice. Asphalt JV provided written notice to reduce the level of services that NuStar GP, LLC provides to Asphalt JV, which is currently at 63% of the original service level.