NET INCOME PER COMMON UNIT Table - Net Income (Loss) per Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands |
3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 31, 2017 |
Sep. 30, 2017 |
Jun. 30, 2017 |
Mar. 31, 2017 |
Dec. 31, 2016 |
Sep. 30, 2016 |
Jun. 30, 2016 |
Mar. 31, 2016 |
Dec. 31, 2017 |
Dec. 31, 2016 |
Dec. 31, 2015 |
|
| Earnings Per Share [Abstract] | |||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to NuStar Energy L.P. | $ 25,182 | $ 38,592 | $ 26,250 | $ 57,940 | $ (11,056) | $ 51,141 | $ 52,517 | $ 57,401 | $ 147,964 | $ 150,003 | $ 306,720 |
| Less: Distributions to general partner (including incentive distribution rights) | 54,921 | 51,284 | 51,064 | ||||||||
| Less: Distributions to common limited partners | 407,681 | 342,598 | 341,140 | ||||||||
| Less: Distributions to preferred limited partners | 40,448 | 1,925 | 0 | ||||||||
| Less: Distribution equivalent rights to restricted units | 2,965 | 2,697 | 0 | ||||||||
| Distributions in excess of earnings | (358,051) | (248,501) | (85,484) | ||||||||
| Net income attributable to common units: | |||||||||||
| Common limited partners' distribution | 407,681 | 342,598 | 341,140 | ||||||||
| Allocation of distributions in excess of earnings | (350,890) | (243,530) | (83,774) | ||||||||
| Total | $ 56,791 | $ 99,068 | $ 257,366 | ||||||||
| Basic weighted-average common units outstanding | 88,825,964 | 78,080,484 | 77,886,078 | ||||||||
| Diluted common units outstanding: | |||||||||||
| Basic weighted-average common units outstanding | 88,825,964 | 78,080,484 | 77,886,078 | ||||||||
| Effect of dilutive potential common units | 0 | 32,518 | 0 | ||||||||
| Diluted weighted-average common units outstanding | 88,825,964 | 78,113,002 | 77,886,078 | ||||||||
| Basic net income per common unit | $ 0.00 | $ 0.15 | $ 0.05 | $ 0.49 | $ (0.31) | $ 0.49 | $ 0.52 | $ 0.57 | $ 0.64 | $ 1.27 | $ 3.30 |
| Diluted net income per common unit | $ 0.00 | $ 0.15 | $ 0.05 | $ 0.49 | $ (0.31) | $ 0.49 | $ 0.52 | $ 0.57 | $ 0.64 | $ 1.27 | $ 3.30 |