v3.3.1.900

PARTNERS' EQUITY Table 2 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Net Income Allocation [Abstract] |  |  |
Net income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P. | $ 306,720 | $ 210,773 | $ (273,770)
Less general partner incentive distribution | 43,220 | 43,220 | 43,220
Net income (loss) after general partner incentive distribution | $ 263,500 | $ 167,553 | $ (316,990)
General partner interest | 2.00% | 2.00% | 2.00%
General partner allocation of net income (loss) after general partner incentive distribution | $ 5,270 | $ 3,352 | $ (6,338)
General partner incentive distribution | 43,220 | 43,220 | 43,220
Net income applicable to general partner | $ 48,490 | $ 46,572 | $ 36,882

X
- Definition Net income applicable to the general partner after the incentive distribution is deducted. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ns_GeneralPartnerAllocationOfNetIncomeExcludingIncentiveDistribution
Namespace Prefix: | ns_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition General partner incentive distribution amount earned during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ns_GeneralPartnerIncentiveDistribution
Namespace Prefix: | ns_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The general partner ownership interest (ownership percentage) in the limited partnership. Excludes other ownership interests held by the general partner in the limited partnership. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ns_GeneralPartnerOwnershipInterest
Namespace Prefix: | ns_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Net Income Less General Partner Incentive Distribution + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ns_NetIncomeLessGeneralPartnerIncentiveDistribution
Namespace Prefix: | ns_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_GeneralAndLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Net Income -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51831255 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.19) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.18) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Other Comprehensive Income -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51831270 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 19 -Article 5 Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 20 -Article 9 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Aggregate amount of net income allocated to general partners. + 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_NetIncomeLossAllocatedToGeneralPartners
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration