| Schedule of Net Income Per Unit [Text Block] |
The following table details the calculation of earnings per unit: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Year Ended December 31, | | 2015 | | 2014 | | 2013 | | (Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Unit Data) | Net income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P. | $ | 306,720 |
| | $ | 210,773 |
| | $ | (273,770 | ) | Less general partner distribution (including incentive distribution rights) | 51,064 |
| | 51,064 |
| | 51,064 |
| Less limited partner distribution | 341,140 |
| | 341,140 |
| | 341,140 |
| Distributions greater than earnings | $ | (85,484 | ) | | $ | (181,431 | ) | | $ | (665,974 | ) | | | | | | | General partner earnings: | | | | | | Distributions | $ | 51,064 |
| | $ | 51,064 |
| | $ | 51,064 |
| Allocation of distributions greater than earnings (2%) | (1,710 | ) | | (3,630 | ) | | (13,318 | ) | Total | $ | 49,354 |
| | $ | 47,434 |
| | $ | 37,746 |
| | | | | | | Limited partner earnings: | | | | | | Distributions | $ | 341,140 |
| | $ | 341,140 |
| | $ | 341,140 |
| Allocation of distributions greater than earnings (98%) | (83,774 | ) | | (177,801 | ) | | (652,656 | ) | Total | $ | 257,366 |
| | $ | 163,339 |
| | $ | (311,516 | ) | | | | | | | Weighted-average limited partner units outstanding | 77,886,078 |
| | 77,886,078 |
| | 77,886,078 |
| | | | | | | Net income (loss) per unit applicable to limited partners | $ | 3.30 |
| | $ | 2.10 |
| | $ | (4.00 | ) |
|