INVESTMENT IN NUSTAR ENERGY Table 3 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Reconcilliation of NuStar Energy’s total partners’ equity to our investment in NuStar Energy
NuStar GP Holdings’ ownership interest in NuStar Energy	15.00%
NuStar GP Holdings’ share of NuStar Energy’s partners’ equity	$ 198,749	$ 204,803
Step-up in basis related to NuStar Energy’s assets and liabilities, including equity method goodwill, and other	64,588	63,939
Investment in NuStar Energy	263,337	268,742
NuStar Energy [Member]
Reconcilliation of NuStar Energy’s total partners’ equity to our investment in NuStar Energy
NuStar Energy’s partners’ equity	1,570,343	1,611,617
Less NuStar Energy’s preferred limited partners’ equity	218,307	218,400
NuStar Energy’s partners’ equity, excluding preferred limited partners’ equity	$ 1,352,036	$ 1,393,217
NuStar GP Holdings’ ownership interest in NuStar Energy	14.70%	14.70%