INVESTMENT IN NUSTAR ENERGY Table 1 (Details) (NuStar Energy [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
NuStar Energy [Member]
Balance Sheet Information:
Current assets	$ 1,368,396	$ 1,200,923
Property, plant and equipment, net	3,499,629	3,430,468
Goodwill	849,040	846,717
Other long-term assets, net	366,363	403,082
Total assets	6,083,428	5,881,190
Current liabilities	1,492,690	943,800
Long-term debt, less current portion	1,690,038	1,928,071
Other long-term liabilities	136,482	144,984
Total liabilities	3,319,210	3,016,855
NuStar Energy partners' equity	2,751,062	2,852,201
Noncontrolling interest	13,156	12,134
Total liabilities and partners’ equity	$ 6,083,428	$ 5,881,190