v3.5.0.2

PARTNERS' EQUITY Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Number of common units issued			595,050
Weighted average price per unit issued			$ 47.39
Net proceeds from issuance			$ 28,285
Issuance costs			500
Contributions from general partner			$ 575	$ 0
General partner interest	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%
Percentage of incentive cash distributions allocated to the general partner			100.00%

X

- Definition

Costs incurred with the issuance of equity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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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

The percentage of incentive cash distributions allocated to the general partner.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ns_PercentageofIncentiveCashDistributionsAllocatedtotheGeneralPartner
Namespace Prefix:	ns_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Weighted average price per unit amount of equity issued and sold.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ns_WeightedAveragePricePerUnitIssued
Namespace Prefix:	ns_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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X

- Definition

Total change in each class of partners' capital accounts during the year due to the sale of units. All partners include general, limited and preferred partners.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 4.F)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187171-122770

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Total units issued during the year due to the sale of units. All partners include general, limited and preferred partners.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 2: 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

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The cash inflow from the capital received in cash from a partner in a partnership during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3255-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
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