CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 55,068	$ 72,208	$ 61,427
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in earnings of NuStar Energy L.P.	(56,096)	(79,673)	(65,380)
Distributions of equity in earnings from NuStar Energy L.P.	56,096	79,673	65,380
Gain related to NuStar Energy L.P.’s issuance of common limited partner units	(2,408)	0	0
(Gain) loss on sale of NuStar Energy L.P. common limited partner units in connection with unit-based compensation	(613)	2,333	1,458
Unit-based compensation expense	661	239	129
Amortization of deferred debt costs	169	155	161
(Benefit) expense for deferred income tax	(75)	952	(621)
Changes in current assets and liabilities (Note 9)	(3,336)	296	(2,270)
(Increase) decrease in long-term receivable from related party	(898)	363	(1,527)
Increase (decrease) in long-term liabilities	1,183	(647)	36
Net cash provided by operating activities	49,751	75,899	58,793
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Distributions in excess of equity in earnings from NuStar Energy L.P.	39,809	16,357	30,632
Investment in NuStar Energy L.P.	(842)	(7,444)	(19,340)
Proceeds from sale of NuStar Energy L.P. common units in connection with unit-based compensation	1,319	5,935	17,059
Net cash provided by investing activities	40,286	14,848	28,351
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from short-term debt borrowings	4,000	0	26,000
Repayment of short-term debt	0	0	(26,000)
Distributions to unitholders	(93,590)	(93,567)	(93,098)
Proceeds from the exercise of unit options	0	0	7,206
Other, net	(274)	14	(15)
Net cash used in financing activities	(89,864)	(93,553)	(85,907)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	173	(2,806)	1,237
Cash and cash equivalents as of the beginning of the period	34	2,840	1,603
Cash and cash equivalents as of the end of the period	$ 207	$ 34	$ 2,840