DISTRIBUTIONS FROM NUSTAR ENERGY Table 2 (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended					9 Months Ended
	Oct. 18, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Subsequent Event [Member]
Distributions from NuStar Energy (dates and totals)
NuStar Energy's distribution announcement date (distribution earned)	Oct. 18, 2017
NuStar Energy LP [Member]
Distributions from NuStar Energy (dates and totals)
Cash distributions per unit applicable to common limited partners		$ 1.095	$ 1.095	$ 1.095	$ 1.095	$ 1.095	$ 3.285	$ 3.285
NuStar Energy's total cash distributions (distribution earned)		$ 115,084	$ 115,083	$ 117,168	$ 98,971	$ 98,809	$ 347,335	$ 294,911
NuStar Energy's distribution date of record (distribution earned)		Nov. 09, 2017	Aug. 07, 2017	May 08, 2017	Feb. 08, 2017
NuStar Energy's distribution payment date (distribution earned)		Nov. 14, 2017	Aug. 11, 2017	May 12, 2017	Feb. 13, 2017