Oil Prices in December 1987: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $17.28 per barrel in December 1987, down $1.57 (8.3%) from November 1987. A year earlier, in December 1986, it averaged $16.11, so the price was higher by $1.17 (7.3%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, December 1987
Chart data table (22 rows; WTI on 22, Brent on 22)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 1987 | $16.74 | $17.60 |
| Dec 30, 1987 | $16.97 | $17.85 |
| Dec 29, 1987 | $16.95 | $17.38 |
| Dec 28, 1987 | $16.46 | $17.00 |
| Dec 24, 1987 | $16.54 | $17.10 |
| Dec 23, 1987 | $16.64 | $17.25 |
| Dec 22, 1987 | $16.60 | $16.70 |
| Dec 21, 1987 | $15.12 | $15.40 |
| Dec 18, 1987 | $15.57 | $15.60 |
| Dec 17, 1987 | $15.97 | $15.03 |
| Dec 16, 1987 | $15.97 | $15.93 |
| Dec 15, 1987 | $16.75 | $16.20 |
| Dec 14, 1987 | $17.47 | $16.80 |
| Dec 11, 1987 | $18.31 | $17.73 |
| Dec 10, 1987 | $18.51 | $17.55 |
| Dec 9, 1987 | $18.53 | $17.43 |
| Dec 8, 1987 | $18.06 | $17.58 |
| Dec 7, 1987 | $18.30 | $17.78 |
| Dec 4, 1987 | $18.68 | $18.00 |
| Dec 3, 1987 | $18.87 | $17.93 |
| Dec 2, 1987 | $18.59 | $17.70 |
| Dec 1, 1987 | $18.44 | $17.65 |
Prices peaked at $18.87 on Dec 3, 1987, then fell to $15.12 on Dec 21, 1987 and ended at $16.74. The largest one-day move was +$1.48 on Dec 22, 1987 (+9.8%).
Brent averaged $17.05, within a dollar of WTI on average across the 22 dates when both were published.
Among the 40 December averages EIA has published, 1987's ranks 6th lowest. Within 1987 it ranks the lowest of the 12 monthly averages. WTI moved 5% or more from the previous published price on 1 day. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $50.54 and the high of $18.87 equals $55.19.
December 1987 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $17.28 | $17.05 |
| Change vs November 1987 | −$1.57 | −$0.73 |
| Change vs December 1986 | +$1.17 | — |
| Highest daily price | $18.87 Dec 3, 1987 | $18.00 Dec 4, 1987 |
| Lowest daily price | $15.12 Dec 21, 1987 | $15.03 Dec 17, 1987 |
| Published daily observations | 22 | 22 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $50.54 | $49.87 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for December 1987.
December in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs December 1987 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $57.97 | +235.5% | $60.38 |
| 2024 | $70.12 | +305.8% | $74.99 |
| 2023 | $71.90 | +316.1% | $79.11 |
| 2022 | $76.44 | +342.4% | $86.93 |
| 2021 | $71.71 | +315.0% | $86.81 |
| 2020 | $47.02 | +172.1% | $60.93 |
| 2019 | $59.88 | +246.5% | $78.65 |
| 2018 | $49.52 | +186.6% | $66.53 |
| 2017 | $57.88 | +235.0% | $79.24 |
| 2016 | $51.97 | +200.8% | $72.65 |
| 2015 | $37.19 | +115.2% | $53.07 |
| 2014 | $59.29 | +243.1% | $85.22 |
| 2013 | $97.63 | +465.0% | $141.39 |
| 2012 | $87.86 | +408.4% | $129.15 |
| 2011 | $98.56 | +470.4% | $147.40 |
| 2010 | $89.15 | +415.9% | $137.28 |
| 2009 | $74.47 | +331.0% | $116.39 |
| 2008 | $41.12 | +138.0% | $66.02 |
| 2007 | $91.69 | +430.6% | $147.34 |
| 2006 | $61.96 | +258.6% | $103.63 |
| 2005 | $59.41 | +243.8% | $101.89 |
| 2004 | $43.15 | +149.7% | $76.53 |
| 2003 | $32.13 | +85.9% | $58.84 |
| 2002 | $29.46 | +70.5% | $54.96 |
| 2001 | $19.39 | +12.2% | $37.04 |
| 2000 | $28.44 | +64.6% | $55.17 |
| 1999 | $26.10 | +51.0% | $52.34 |
| 1998 | $11.35 | −34.3% | $23.37 |
| 1997 | $18.33 | +6.1% | $38.35 |
| 1996 | $25.23 | +46.0% | $53.69 |
| 1995 | $19.03 | +10.1% | $41.84 |
| 1994 | $17.16 | −0.7% | $38.69 |
| 1993 | $14.52 | −16.0% | $33.61 |
| 1992 | $19.41 | +12.3% | $46.17 |
| 1991 | $19.50 | +12.8% | $47.73 |
| 1990 | $27.28 | +57.9% | $68.81 |
| 1989 | $21.10 | +22.1% | $56.47 |
| 1988 | $16.38 | −5.2% | $45.88 |
| 1987 | $17.28 | — | $50.54 |
| 1986 | $16.11 | −6.8% | $49.21 |
“—” 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 December 1987.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Dec 1, 1987 – Dec 31, 1987 | Dec 31, 1987 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Dec 1, 1987 – Dec 31, 1987 | Dec 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)