v3.10.0.1

SUBSEQUENT EVENT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017
Subsequent Event [Line Items] |  |  |
Proceeds from expected sale of assets |  | $ 2,220 | $ 2,023
Subsequent Event [Member] | Sale of U.K. and Amsterdam Operations [Member] | Scenario, Forecast [Member] |  |  |
Subsequent Event [Line Items] |  |  |
Proceeds from expected sale of assets | $ 270,000 |  |
Description of assets to be sold | six liquids storage terminals in the United Kingdom and one facility in Amsterdam, |  |

X
- Definition Description of assets sold + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ns_DescriptionofAssetsSold
Namespace Prefix: | ns_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The cash inflow from the sale of property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3179-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfProductiveAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Detail information of subsequent event by type. User is expected to use existing line items from elsewhere in the taxonomy as the primary line items for this disclosure, which is further associated with dimension and member elements pertaining to a subsequent event. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=ns_SaleofU.K.andAmsterdamOperationsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis=us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |