CREDIT FACILITY Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 29, 2012 NuStar Energy Consolidated Debt Coverage Ratio [Member]	Jun. 29, 2012 Cash Distributions Covenant [Member]	Jun. 29, 2012 2012 Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit Facility, Name						364-day revolving credit agreement
Credit Facility, Maturity Date						Jun. 28, 2013
Credit Facility, Borrowing Capacity						$ 40,000,000
Credit Facility, Letters of Credit Capacity						10,000,000
Repayments of Short-term Debt	1,500,000	500,000
Outstanding Borrowings Under the Credit Facility	18,500,000		20,000,000
Credit Facility, Borrowing Availability	$ 21,500,000
Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description						Interest on the 2012 Credit Facility is based upon, at our option, either an alternative base rate plus 0.75% or a LIBOR-based rate plus 1.75%
Credit Facility, Interest Rate	2.00%
Credit Facility, Covenant Terms				The terms of the 2012 Credit Facility require NuStar Energy to maintain, as of the end of each rolling period, consisting of any period of four consecutive quarters, a consolidated debt coverage ratio not to exceed 5.0-to-1.0. If NuStar Energy consummates an acquisition for an aggregate net consideration of at least $50.0 million, the maximum consolidated debt coverage ratio will increase to 5.5-to-1.0 for two rolling periods. The maximum allowed amount was 5.5-to-1.0, as a result of its acquisition of certain crude oil assets from TexStar Midstream Services, LP and certain of its affiliates in December 2012.	receive cash distributions of at least $50.0 million in respect of our ownership interests in NuStar Energy for the preceding four fiscal quarters ending on the last day of each fiscal quarter
NuStar Energy's Consolidated Debt Coverage Ratio	4.3