RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Narrative 2 (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Asphalt JV [Member] | Asphalt JV Services Agreement [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Services Agreements, Description	The Asphalt JV Services Agreement provides that we will furnish certain administrative and other operating services necessary to conduct the business of Asphalt JV. Asphalt JV will compensate us for these services through an annual fee totaling $10.0 million, subject to adjustment based on the annual merit increase percentage applicable to our employees for the most recently completed contract year.
Services Agreements, Termination Date	Dec. 31, 2017
Asphalt JV [Member] | Asphalt JV Employee Services Agreement [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Services Agreements, Description	The Asphalt JV Employee Services Agreement provided that certain of our employees would provide employee-services to Asphalt JV. In exchange, Asphalt JV would reimburse us for the compensation expense of those employees at the same rates that were in effect at the effective date of the Asphalt JV Employee Services Agreement, including an annual bonus amount that does not exceed our target bonus plan. The employees covered under the Asphalt JV Employee Services Agreement were not entitled to any new unit-based compensation grants from us, and Asphalt JV was not responsible for unit-based compensation costs prior to the effective date.
Services Agreements, Termination Date	Dec. 31, 2012
NuStar Energy [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Non-Compete, Description	The Non-Compete Agreement remains in effect for so long as we or any of our affiliates own 20% or more of NuStar GP, LLC or Riverwalk Logistics, L.P.
NuStar Energy [Member] | GP Services Agreement [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Services Agreements, Description	The GP Services Agreement provides that NuStar GP, LLC will furnish administrative and certain operating services necessary to conduct the business of NuStar Energy. All employees providing services to both NuStar GP Holdings and NuStar Energy are employed by NuStar GP, LLC; therefore, NuStar Energy reimburses NuStar GP, LLC for all employee costs, other than the expenses allocated to NuStar GP Holdings (the Holdco Administrative Services Expense). The Holdco Administrative Services Expense is based on $1.1 million plus 1.0% of NuStar GP, LLC’s domestic bonus and unit-based compensation expense, subject to certain other adjustments.
Holdco administrative services expense	$ 1.3	$ 1.4	$ 1.5
Services Agreements, Termination Date	Dec. 31, 2012