Oil Prices in August 1987: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $20.31 per barrel in August 1987, down $1.03 (4.8%) from July 1987. The average was 35% above the $15.10 of August 1986.
Daily spot prices, August 1987
Chart data table (21 rows; WTI on 21, Brent on 21)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 31, 1987 | $19.76 | $18.63 |
| Aug 28, 1987 | $19.44 | $18.20 |
| Aug 27, 1987 | $19.69 | $18.28 |
| Aug 26, 1987 | $19.49 | $18.10 |
| Aug 25, 1987 | $19.30 | $17.55 |
| Aug 24, 1987 | $19.18 | $17.48 |
| Aug 21, 1987 | $19.20 | $18.10 |
| Aug 20, 1987 | $19.47 | $18.30 |
| Aug 19, 1987 | $19.71 | $18.50 |
| Aug 18, 1987 | $19.84 | $18.75 |
| Aug 17, 1987 | $19.85 | $18.85 |
| Aug 14, 1987 | $20.53 | $19.25 |
| Aug 13, 1987 | $20.76 | $19.40 |
| Aug 12, 1987 | $20.96 | $19.50 |
| Aug 11, 1987 | $21.07 | $19.45 |
| Aug 10, 1987 | $20.70 | $19.43 |
| Aug 7, 1987 | $21.01 | $19.65 |
| Aug 6, 1987 | $21.17 | $19.75 |
| Aug 5, 1987 | $21.37 | $19.80 |
| Aug 4, 1987 | $21.82 | $20.65 |
| Aug 3, 1987 | $22.21 | $20.95 |
Prices fell over the month, from $22.21 on Aug 3, 1987 to $19.76 on Aug 31, 1987, with declines on 15 of 21 trading days.
Brent averaged $18.98, on matched dates $1.33 below WTI on average across 21 dates.
Among the 41 August averages EIA has published, 1987's ranks 9th lowest. Within 1987 it ranks 2nd highest of the 12 monthly averages. The high was $22.21 on Aug 3, 1987 and the low $19.18 on Aug 24, 1987. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $59.92 and the high of $22.21 equals $65.53.
August 1987 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $20.31 | $18.98 |
| Change vs July 1987 | −$1.03 | −$0.88 |
| Change vs August 1986 | +$5.21 | — |
| Highest daily price | $22.21 Aug 3, 1987 | $20.95 Aug 3, 1987 |
| Lowest daily price | $19.18 Aug 24, 1987 | $17.48 Aug 24, 1987 |
| Published daily observations | 21 | 21 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $59.92 | $56.00 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for August 1987.
August in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs August 1987 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $83.90 | +313.1% | $84.53 |
| 2025 | $64.86 | +219.4% | $67.57 |
| 2024 | $76.68 | +277.5% | $82.21 |
| 2023 | $81.39 | +300.7% | $89.47 |
| 2022 | $93.67 | +361.2% | $106.74 |
| 2021 | $67.70 | +233.3% | $83.52 |
| 2020 | $42.34 | +108.5% | $54.98 |
| 2019 | $54.81 | +169.9% | $72.10 |
| 2018 | $68.06 | +235.1% | $91.10 |
| 2017 | $48.04 | +136.5% | $66.04 |
| 2016 | $44.72 | +120.2% | $62.67 |
| 2015 | $42.87 | +111.1% | $60.71 |
| 2014 | $96.54 | +375.3% | $136.99 |
| 2013 | $106.57 | +424.7% | $153.79 |
| 2012 | $94.13 | +363.5% | $137.90 |
| 2011 | $86.33 | +325.1% | $128.62 |
| 2010 | $76.60 | +277.2% | $118.42 |
| 2009 | $71.05 | +249.8% | $111.10 |
| 2008 | $116.67 | +474.4% | $179.73 |
| 2007 | $72.36 | +256.3% | $117.46 |
| 2006 | $73.04 | +259.6% | $120.90 |
| 2005 | $64.99 | +220.0% | $111.68 |
| 2004 | $44.90 | +121.1% | $79.97 |
| 2003 | $31.57 | +55.4% | $57.72 |
| 2002 | $28.39 | +39.8% | $53.03 |
| 2001 | $27.37 | +34.8% | $52.04 |
| 2000 | $31.26 | +53.9% | $61.06 |
| 1999 | $21.28 | +4.8% | $42.98 |
| 1998 | $13.47 | −33.7% | $27.82 |
| 1997 | $19.95 | −1.8% | $41.87 |
| 1996 | $21.90 | +7.8% | $46.99 |
| 1995 | $18.02 | −11.3% | $39.78 |
| 1994 | $18.38 | −9.5% | $41.63 |
| 1993 | $18.01 | −11.3% | $41.98 |
| 1992 | $21.34 | +5.1% | $51.12 |
| 1991 | $21.69 | +6.8% | $53.59 |
| 1990 | $27.31 | +34.5% | $70.04 |
| 1989 | $18.58 | −8.5% | $50.33 |
| 1988 | $15.52 | −23.6% | $44.02 |
| 1987 | $20.31 | — | $59.92 |
| 1986 | $15.10 | −25.7% | $46.46 |
“—” 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 August 1987.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Aug 3, 1987 – Aug 31, 1987 | Aug 31, 1987 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Aug 3, 1987 – Aug 31, 1987 | Aug 31, 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)