Oil Prices in March 1986: WTI Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI's monthly average fell to $12.61 in March 1986, down $2.85 (18.4%) from February 1986.
Daily spot prices, March 1986
Chart data table (20 rows)
| Period | WTI |
|---|---|
| Mar 31, 1986 | $10.25 |
| Mar 27, 1986 | $11.35 |
| Mar 26, 1986 | $12.03 |
| Mar 25, 1986 | $12.43 |
| Mar 24, 1986 | $12.20 |
| Mar 21, 1986 | $13.95 |
| Mar 20, 1986 | $12.75 |
| Mar 19, 1986 | $13.25 |
| Mar 18, 1986 | $14.03 |
| Mar 17, 1986 | $13.28 |
| Mar 14, 1986 | $12.55 |
| Mar 13, 1986 | $12.60 |
| Mar 12, 1986 | $14.05 |
| Mar 11, 1986 | $13.23 |
| Mar 10, 1986 | $12.94 |
| Mar 7, 1986 | $12.24 |
| Mar 6, 1986 | $13.13 |
| Mar 5, 1986 | $12.03 |
| Mar 4, 1986 | $11.98 |
| Mar 3, 1986 | $11.98 |
Prices fell over the month, from $11.98 on Mar 3, 1986 to $10.25 on Mar 31, 1986. The largest one-day move was −$1.75 on Mar 24, 1986 (−12.5%).
EIA's Brent spot price series begins on May 20, 1987, so this page has WTI prices only.
Among the 41 March averages EIA has published, 1986's ranks the lowest. Within 1986 it ranks 2nd lowest of the 12 monthly averages. The high was $14.05 on Mar 12, 1986 and the low $10.25 on Mar 31, 1986. WTI moved 5% or more from the previous published price on 13 days. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $39.12 and the high of $14.05 equals $43.58.
March 1986 summary
| Measure | WTI |
|---|---|
| Monthly average | $12.61 |
| Change vs February 1986 | −$2.85 |
| Change vs March 1985 | — |
| Highest daily price | $14.05 Mar 12, 1986 |
| Lowest daily price | $10.25 Mar 31, 1986 |
| Published daily observations | 20 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $39.12 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for March 1986.
March in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs March 1986 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $91.38 | +624.7% | $93.40 |
| 2025 | $68.24 | +441.2% | $72.02 |
| 2024 | $81.28 | +544.6% | $87.83 |
| 2023 | $73.28 | +481.1% | $81.94 |
| 2022 | $108.50 | +760.4% | $127.37 |
| 2021 | $62.33 | +394.3% | $79.42 |
| 2020 | $29.21 | +131.6% | $38.19 |
| 2019 | $58.15 | +361.1% | $77.21 |
| 2018 | $62.73 | +397.5% | $84.84 |
| 2017 | $49.33 | +291.2% | $68.29 |
| 2016 | $37.55 | +197.8% | $53.22 |
| 2015 | $47.82 | +279.2% | $68.35 |
| 2014 | $100.80 | +699.4% | $143.98 |
| 2013 | $92.94 | +637.0% | $134.76 |
| 2012 | $106.16 | +741.9% | $156.20 |
| 2011 | $102.86 | +715.7% | $155.35 |
| 2010 | $81.20 | +543.9% | $125.93 |
| 2009 | $47.94 | +280.2% | $76.07 |
| 2008 | $105.45 | +736.2% | $166.68 |
| 2007 | $60.44 | +379.3% | $99.34 |
| 2006 | $62.69 | +397.1% | $105.90 |
| 2005 | $54.19 | +329.7% | $94.62 |
| 2004 | $36.74 | +191.4% | $66.17 |
| 2003 | $33.51 | +165.7% | $61.40 |
| 2002 | $24.53 | +94.5% | $46.30 |
| 2001 | $27.25 | +116.1% | $52.20 |
| 2000 | $29.84 | +136.6% | $58.83 |
| 1999 | $14.68 | +16.4% | $30.03 |
| 1998 | $15.12 | +19.9% | $31.46 |
| 1997 | $20.97 | +66.3% | $44.24 |
| 1996 | $21.33 | +69.2% | $46.24 |
| 1995 | $18.54 | +47.0% | $41.33 |
| 1994 | $14.68 | +16.4% | $33.66 |
| 1993 | $20.32 | +61.1% | $47.76 |
| 1992 | $18.92 | +50.0% | $45.84 |
| 1991 | $19.90 | +57.8% | $49.75 |
| 1990 | $20.39 | +61.7% | $53.47 |
| 1989 | $19.48 | +54.5% | $53.76 |
| 1988 | $16.20 | +28.5% | $46.93 |
| 1987 | $18.30 | +45.1% | $55.10 |
| 1986 | $12.61 | — | $39.12 |
“—” in the real column means BLS has published no CPI-U for that month. The comparison column shows how far that year's average was from March 1986.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Mar 3, 1986 – Mar 31, 1986 | Mar 31, 1986 |
| U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | CUUR0000SA0 — CPI-U, all items, NSA | index, 1982–84=100 | monthly | October 2026 |
Last updated: Nov 10, 2026, 7:01 PM CST. Raw values are shown in source units; any conversion is labeled. See methodology and data sources.
Download:1986 daily prices (CSV)