v3.3.1.900

NET INCOME (LOSS) PER UNIT Non-Printing Section (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
General Partner Ownership Interest	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%
Limited partner allocation percentage	98.00%	98.00%	98.00%

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

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

The number of units or percentage investment held by one or more members or limited partners of the LLC or LP.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 272
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6373374&loc=d3e70478-108055

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration