v3.3.1.900
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Table 3 (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Sep. 30, 2015
Jun. 30, 2015
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]                      
Net income (loss) $ 59,480 $ 65,016 $ 54,325 $ 127,899 $ 53,394 $ 61,948 $ 55,399 $ 39,637 $ 306,720 $ 210,378 $ (284,671)
Other comprehensive income (loss):                      
Foreign currency translation adjustment                 (31,987) (15,614) (19,364)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges                 1,303 0 7,213
Net loss (gain) reclassified into income on cash flow hedges                 9,802 10,663 7,570
Other comprehensive loss                 (20,882) (4,951) (4,581)
Comprehensive (loss) income                 285,838 205,427 (289,252)
Less comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest                 0 (828) (10,953)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P.                 285,838 206,255 (278,299)
Eliminations                      
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]                      
Net income (loss)                 (619,666) (404,944) 884,487
Other comprehensive income (loss):                      
Foreign currency translation adjustment                 0 0 0
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges                 0   0
Net loss (gain) reclassified into income on cash flow hedges                 0 0 0
Other comprehensive loss                 0 0 0
Comprehensive (loss) income                   (404,944) 884,487
Less comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest                   0 0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P.                 (619,666) (404,944) 884,487
NuStar Energy                      
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]                      
Net income (loss)                 306,720 210,773 (273,770)
Other comprehensive income (loss):                      
Foreign currency translation adjustment                 0 0 0
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges                 0   0
Net loss (gain) reclassified into income on cash flow hedges                 0 0 0
Other comprehensive loss                 0 0 0
Comprehensive (loss) income                   210,773 (273,770)
Less comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest                   0 0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P.                 306,720 210,773 (273,770)
NuStar Logistics                      
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]                      
Net income (loss)                 110,718 70,206 9,682
Other comprehensive income (loss):                      
Foreign currency translation adjustment                 0 3,723 (3,090)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges                 1,303   7,213
Net loss (gain) reclassified into income on cash flow hedges                 9,802 10,663 7,570
Other comprehensive loss                 11,105 14,386 11,693
Comprehensive (loss) income                   84,592 21,375
Less comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest                   0 0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P.                 121,823 84,592 21,375
NuPOP                      
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]                      
Net income (loss)                 197,749 142,231 (281,320)
Other comprehensive income (loss):                      
Foreign currency translation adjustment                 0 0 0
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges                 0   0
Net loss (gain) reclassified into income on cash flow hedges                 0 0 0
Other comprehensive loss                 0 0 0
Comprehensive (loss) income                   142,231 (281,320)
Less comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest                   0 0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P.                 197,749 142,231 (281,320)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries                      
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]                      
Net income (loss)                 311,199 192,112 (623,750)
Other comprehensive income (loss):                      
Foreign currency translation adjustment                 (31,987) (19,337) (16,274)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges                 0   0
Net loss (gain) reclassified into income on cash flow hedges                 0 0 0
Other comprehensive loss                 (31,987) (19,337) (16,274)
Comprehensive (loss) income                   172,775 (640,024)
Less comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest                   (828) (10,953)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P.                 $ 279,212 $ 173,603 $ (629,071)