FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Table 1 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Accrued compensation expense:
NuStar Energy restricted units and performance awards	$ 15,147	$ 14,968
NuStar Energy unit options	1,147	7,076
Total	16,294	22,044
Level 1 [Member]
Accrued compensation expense:
NuStar Energy restricted units and performance awards	15,147	14,968
NuStar Energy unit options	0	0
Total	15,147	14,968
Level 2 [Member]
Accrued compensation expense:
NuStar Energy restricted units and performance awards	0	0
NuStar Energy unit options	1,147	7,076
Total	1,147	7,076
Level 3 [Member]
Accrued compensation expense:
NuStar Energy restricted units and performance awards	0	0
NuStar Energy unit options	0	0
Total	$ 0	$ 0