v3.8.0.1

ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS Narrative 3 (Details) bbl in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 mi bbl
Segment Information |
Number of business segments | 3
Pipeline Segment | Central West Refined Products Pipelines |
Segment Information |
Pipeline length, in miles | 3,130
Pipeline Segment | Crude Oil Pipelines |
Segment Information |
Pipeline length, in miles | 1,930
Storage capacity, in barrels | bbl | 5.0
Pipeline Segment | East and North Pipelines |
Segment Information |
Pipeline length, in miles | 2,370
Storage capacity, in barrels | bbl | 6.8
Pipeline Segment | Ammonia Pipeline |
Segment Information |
Pipeline length, in miles | 2,000
Storage Segment |
Segment Information |
Storage capacity, in barrels | bbl | 84.8

X
- Definition Length of pipeline, in miles + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ns_PipelineMiles
Namespace Prefix: | ns_
Data Type: | num:lengthItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Storage capacity of tanks at terminals and storage facilities, in barrels. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ns_Storagecapacity
Namespace Prefix: | ns_
Data Type: | num:volumeItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of segments reported by the entity. A reportable segment is a component of an entity for which there is an accounting requirement to report separate financial information on that component in the entity's financial statements. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=ns_PipelineSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=ns_CentralWestRefinedProductsPipelinesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=ns_CrudeOilPipelinesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=ns_EastandNorthPipelinesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=ns_AmmoniaPipelineMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=ns_StorageSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |