v3.19.3.a.u2

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Non-Printing - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018
--- | --- | ---
Allowance for doubtful accounts | $ 72 | $ 9,412
Series D preferred units outstanding | 23,246,650 | 23,246,650
Limited partners common units outstanding (in units) | 108,527,806 | 107,225,156
Series A Preferred Limited Partner [Member] |  |
Preferred units outstanding | 9,060,000 | 9,060,000
Series B Preferred Limited Partner [Member] |  |
Preferred units outstanding | 15,400,000 | 15,400,000
Series C Preferred Limited Partner [Member] |  |
Preferred units outstanding | 6,900,000 | 6,900,000

X
- Definition Amount of allowance for credit loss on accounts receivable, classified as current. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118936363&loc=d3e5074-111524 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118955202&loc=SL82895884-210446 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The number of limited partner units outstanding. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -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 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 272 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6373374&loc=d3e70434-108055 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountUnitsOutstanding
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The number of preferred units outstanding. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 272 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6373374&loc=d3e70434-108055 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -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
Name: | us-gaap_PreferredUnitsOutstanding
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The number of securities classified as temporary equity that have been issued and are held by the entity's shareholders. Securities outstanding equals securities issued minus securities held in treasury. Temporary equity is a security with redemption features that are outside the control of the issuer, is not classified as an asset or liability in conformity with GAAP, and is not mandatorily redeemable. Includes any type of security that is redeemable at a fixed or determinable price or on a fixed or determinable date or dates, is redeemable at the option of the holder, or has conditions for redemption which are not solely within the control of the issuer. If convertible, the issuer does not control the actions or events necessary to issue the maximum number of shares that could be required to be delivered under the conversion option if the holder exercises the option to convert the stock to another class of equity. If the security is a warrant or a rights issue, the warrant or rights issue is considered to be temporary equity if the issuer cannot demonstrate that it would be able to deliver upon the exercise of the option by the holder in all cases. Includes stock with put option held by ESOP and stock redeemable by holder only in the event of a change in control of the issuer. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(27)(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_TemporaryEquitySharesOutstanding
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis=ns_SeriesAPreferredLimitedPartnerMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis=ns_SeriesBPreferredLimitedPartnerMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis=ns_SeriesCPreferredLimitedPartnerMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |