CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
Equity in (loss) earnings of NuStar Energy L.P.	$ (4,578)	$ 65,783	$ 66,859
General and administrative expenses	(3,337)	(3,298)	(3,184)
Other income, net	9,801	7,320	9,475
Interest expense, net	(624)	(570)	(1,106)
Income before income tax benefit	1,262	69,235	72,044
Income tax benefit	866	401	419
Net income	2,128	69,636	72,463
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Share of NuStar Energy L.P.’s other comprehensive (loss) income	(4,297)	(12,580)	6,679
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan adjustments:
Net unrecognized (loss) gain arising during the year, net of income tax	(6,574)	(11,094)	177
Net loss reclassified into income	1,514	538	607
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan adjustments	(5,060)	(10,556)	784
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(9,357)	(23,136)	7,463
Comprehensive (loss) income	$ (7,229)	$ 46,500	$ 79,926
Basic net income per unit	$ 0.05	$ 1.64	$ 1.70
Diluted net income per unit	$ 0.05	$ 1.64	$ 1.70
Weighted-average number of basic units outstanding	42,576,858	42,546,096	42,517,525
Weighted-average number of diluted units outstanding	42,584,667	42,572,617	42,526,187