RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
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| Related Party Transactions [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Related Party Transactions | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS We had a payable to related party of $14.8 million and $15.1 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, mainly representing payroll, employee benefit plan expenses and unit-based compensation. We also had a long-term payable to related party as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 of $32.1 million and $33.5 million, respectively, representing long-term employee benefits. The following table summarizes information pertaining to related party transactions:
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. GP Services Agreement. NuStar Energy and NuStar GP, LLC entered into a services agreement effective January 1, 2008 (the GP Services Agreement). The GP Services Agreement provides that NuStar GP, LLC will furnish administrative and certain operating services necessary to conduct the business of NuStar Energy. All employees providing services to both NuStar GP Holdings and NuStar Energy are employed by NuStar GP, LLC; therefore, NuStar Energy reimburses NuStar GP, LLC for all employee costs, other than the expenses allocated to NuStar GP Holdings (the Holdco Administrative Services Expense). The GP Services Agreement renews automatically every two years unless terminated by either party. Non-Compete Agreement. On July 19, 2006, we entered into a non-compete agreement with NuStar GP Holdings, Riverwalk Logistics, L.P. and NuStar GP, LLC (the Non-Compete Agreement). The Non-Compete Agreement became effective on December 22, 2006 when NuStar GP Holdings ceased to be subject to the Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement, dated March 31, 2006. Under the Non-Compete Agreement, we will have a right of first refusal with respect to the potential acquisition of assets that relate to the transportation, storage or terminalling of crude oil, feedstocks or refined petroleum products (including petrochemicals) in the United States and internationally. NuStar GP Holdings will have a right of first refusal with respect to the potential acquisition of general partner and other equity interests in publicly traded partnerships under common ownership with the general partner interest. With respect to any other business opportunities, neither the Partnership nor NuStar GP Holdings are prohibited from engaging in any business, even if the Partnership and NuStar GP Holdings would have a conflict of interest with respect to such other business opportunity. Please refer to Note 28 for a discussion of the employee transfer from NuStar GP, LLC. Axeon As a result of the 2014 Asphalt Sale, we ceased reporting transactions between us and Axeon as related party transactions in our consolidated financial statements on February 26, 2014. Terminal Service Agreements. We were a party to four terminal service agreements with Axeon for our terminals in Wilmington, NC, Rosario, NM, Catoosa, OK and Houston, TX. Pursuant to the terms of the agreements, we provided aggregate storage capacity of 0.8 million barrels and blending services to Axeon for a service charge of $1.5 million per year. In addition, we had terminal service agreements with Axeon for our terminals in Jacksonville, FL, Dumfries, VA, and Baltimore, MD. Pursuant to the terms of the agreements, we provided aggregate storage capacity of approximately 0.6 million barrels to Axeon for a storage charge of approximately $6.3 million per year, plus applicable throughput and handling fees. As a result of the 2014 Asphalt Sale, these terminal service agreements were either amended or terminated. Crude Oil Supply Agreement. We were a party to a crude oil supply agreement with Axeon (the Axeon Crude Oil Supply Agreement) that committed Axeon to purchase from us a minimum number of barrels of crude oil in a given year. The Axeon Crude Oil Supply Agreement terminated effective January 1, 2014. Services Agreement. NuStar GP, LLC and Axeon were a party to a services agreement, which provided that NuStar GP, LLC would furnish certain administrative and other operating services necessary to conduct the business of Axeon for an annual fee totaling $10.0 million, subject to adjustment (the Axeon Services Agreement). The Axeon Services Agreement terminated on June 30, 2014. |
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