ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Narrative 2 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	May 04, 2017
Equity Method Investee [Line Items]
Proceeds from short-term debt borrowings			$ 15,500	$ 4,000
General partner interest percentage			2.00%
NuStar Energy Common Unit Issuance [Member]
Equity Method Investee [Line Items]
Limited partner units issued by NuStar Energy		14,375,000
Net proceeds received by NuStar Energy from issuance of units		$ 657,500
NuStar Energy Series B Preferred Unit Issuance [Member]
Equity Method Investee [Line Items]
Limited partner units issued by NuStar Energy		15,400,000
Net proceeds received by NuStar Energy from issuance of units		$ 371,800
NuStar Energy's preferred units distribution rate		7.625%
NuStar Energy Logistics Notes Due 2027 [Member]
Equity Method Investee [Line Items]
NuStar Energy's senior note issuance		$ 550,000	$ 550,000
NuStar Energy's senior notes interest rate		5.625%	5.625%
NuStar Energy's net proceeds from senior note issuance		$ 543,300
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Equity Method Investee [Line Items]
Proceeds from short-term debt borrowings	$ 14,000
Navigator Acquisition [Member]
Equity Method Investee [Line Items]
NuStar Energy's purchase price of acquired entity					$ 1,500,000