CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 2,128	$ 69,636	$ 72,463
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in loss (earnings) of NuStar Energy L.P.	4,578	(65,783)	(66,859)
Distributions of equity in earnings from NuStar Energy L.P.	0	65,783	66,859
Gain related to NuStar Energy L.P.'s issuance of limited partner units	(10,689)	(8,074)	(7,767)
Loss (gain) on sale of NuStar Energy L.P. limited partner units in connection with unit-based compensation	888	754	(1,708)
Benefit for deferred income tax	(443)	(264)	(2,483)
Changes in current assets and liabilities (Note 9)	(3,638)	(584)	17,277
Decrease (increase) in other assets	0	1,189	(1,096)
Increase in long-term receivable from related party	(3,278)	(4,414)	(2,425)
Increase (decrease) in long-term liabilities	12,528	5,621	(2,661)
Other, net	471	466	225
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,545	64,330	71,825
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Distributions in excess of equity in earnings from NuStar Energy L.P.	92,628	20,323	15,567
Investment in NuStar Energy L.P.	(18,005)	(17,031)	(22,416)
Proceeds from sale of NuStar Energy L.P. units in connection with unit-based compensation	8,552	10,894	15,846
Net cash provided by investing activities	83,175	14,186	8,997
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from short-term debt borrowings	21,000	6,000	5,200
Repayment of short-term debt	(17,500)	(5,500)	(3,500)
Distributions to unitholders	(88,345)	(82,966)	(77,589)
Other, net	368	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(84,477)	(82,466)	(75,889)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,243	(3,950)	4,933
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	1,354	5,304	371
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$ 2,597	$ 1,354	$ 5,304