INVESTMENT IN NUSTAR ENERGY Table 4 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
NuStar GP Holdings’ Equity in Earnings of NuStar Energy:
General partner interest	$ 2,091	$ 5,270	$ 3,352
General partner incentive distribution rights	43,407	43,220	43,220
General partner’s interest in earnings and incentive distributions of NuStar Energy	45,498	48,490	46,572
Common limited partner interest in earnings of NuStar Energy	13,482	34,067	21,692
Amortization of step-up in basis related to NuStar Energy’s assets and liabilities	(2,884)	(2,884)	(2,884)
Equity in earnings of NuStar Energy	$ 56,096	$ 79,673	$ 65,380