Oil Prices in April 1987: WTI Daily Prices and Monthly Average
At $18.68 per barrel, April 1987's WTI average was the highest monthly average in nominal terms since January 1986, up $0.38 (2.1%) from March 1987. The average was 45% above the $12.84 of April 1986.
Daily spot prices, April 1987
Chart data table (21 rows)
| Period | WTI |
|---|---|
| Apr 30, 1987 | $18.76 |
| Apr 29, 1987 | $18.66 |
| Apr 28, 1987 | $18.73 |
| Apr 27, 1987 | $18.83 |
| Apr 24, 1987 | $19.01 |
| Apr 23, 1987 | $19.03 |
| Apr 22, 1987 | $19.03 |
| Apr 21, 1987 | $18.97 |
| Apr 20, 1987 | $18.66 |
| Apr 16, 1987 | $18.58 |
| Apr 15, 1987 | $18.46 |
| Apr 14, 1987 | $18.09 |
| Apr 13, 1987 | $18.07 |
| Apr 10, 1987 | $18.26 |
| Apr 9, 1987 | $18.64 |
| Apr 8, 1987 | $18.68 |
| Apr 7, 1987 | $18.69 |
| Apr 6, 1987 | $18.71 |
| Apr 3, 1987 | $18.68 |
| Apr 2, 1987 | $18.90 |
| Apr 1, 1987 | $18.78 |
Prices dipped to $18.07 on Apr 13, 1987, then climbed to $19.03 on Apr 22, 1987 and ended at $18.76.
EIA's Brent spot price series begins on May 20, 1987, so this page has WTI prices only.
Among the 41 April averages EIA has published, 1987's ranks 8th lowest. Within 1987 it ranks 5th lowest of the 12 monthly averages. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $55.94 and the high of $19.03 equals $56.99.
April 1987 summary
| Measure | WTI |
|---|---|
| Monthly average | $18.68 |
| Change vs March 1987 | +$0.38 |
| Change vs April 1986 | +$5.84 |
| Highest daily price | $19.03 Apr 22, 1987 |
| Lowest daily price | $18.07 Apr 13, 1987 |
| Published daily observations | 21 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $55.94 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for April 1987.
April in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs April 1987 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $100.32 | +437.0% | $101.67 |
| 2025 | $63.54 | +240.1% | $66.85 |
| 2024 | $85.35 | +356.9% | $91.87 |
| 2023 | $79.45 | +325.3% | $88.39 |
| 2022 | $101.78 | +444.9% | $118.82 |
| 2021 | $61.72 | +230.4% | $78.00 |
| 2020 | $16.55 | −11.4% | $21.79 |
| 2019 | $63.86 | +241.9% | $84.34 |
| 2018 | $66.25 | +254.7% | $89.25 |
| 2017 | $51.06 | +173.3% | $70.48 |
| 2016 | $40.75 | +118.1% | $57.48 |
| 2015 | $54.45 | +191.5% | $77.67 |
| 2014 | $102.07 | +446.4% | $145.31 |
| 2013 | $92.02 | +392.6% | $133.56 |
| 2012 | $103.32 | +453.1% | $151.56 |
| 2011 | $109.53 | +486.3% | $164.37 |
| 2010 | $84.29 | +351.2% | $130.49 |
| 2009 | $49.65 | +165.8% | $78.58 |
| 2008 | $112.58 | +502.7% | $176.88 |
| 2007 | $63.98 | +242.5% | $104.48 |
| 2006 | $69.44 | +271.7% | $116.31 |
| 2005 | $52.98 | +183.6% | $91.89 |
| 2004 | $36.75 | +96.7% | $65.98 |
| 2003 | $28.17 | +50.8% | $51.73 |
| 2002 | $26.18 | +40.1% | $49.14 |
| 2001 | $27.49 | +47.2% | $52.45 |
| 2000 | $25.72 | +37.7% | $50.68 |
| 1999 | $17.31 | −7.3% | $35.15 |
| 1998 | $15.35 | −17.8% | $31.88 |
| 1997 | $19.70 | +5.5% | $41.50 |
| 1996 | $23.50 | +25.8% | $50.75 |
| 1995 | $19.90 | +6.5% | $44.22 |
| 1994 | $16.42 | −12.1% | $37.60 |
| 1993 | $20.25 | +8.4% | $47.46 |
| 1992 | $20.23 | +8.3% | $48.95 |
| 1991 | $20.83 | +11.5% | $52.00 |
| 1990 | $18.43 | −1.3% | $48.26 |
| 1989 | $21.07 | +12.8% | $57.77 |
| 1988 | $17.86 | −4.4% | $51.48 |
| 1987 | $18.68 | — | $55.94 |
| 1986 | $12.84 | −31.3% | $39.90 |
“—” 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 April 1987.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Apr 1, 1987 – Apr 30, 1987 | Apr 30, 1987 |
| 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:1987 daily prices (CSV)