Oil Prices in January 1987: WTI Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI's monthly average rose to $18.65 in January 1987, up $2.54 (15.8%) from December 1986. A year earlier, in January 1986, it averaged $22.93, so the price was lower by $4.28 (18.7%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, January 1987
Chart data table (21 rows)
| Period | WTI |
|---|---|
| Jan 30, 1987 | $18.73 |
| Jan 29, 1987 | $18.68 |
| Jan 28, 1987 | $18.56 |
| Jan 27, 1987 | $18.48 |
| Jan 26, 1987 | $18.63 |
| Jan 23, 1987 | $18.59 |
| Jan 22, 1987 | $18.76 |
| Jan 21, 1987 | $18.60 |
| Jan 20, 1987 | $18.73 |
| Jan 19, 1987 | $18.70 |
| Jan 16, 1987 | $19.13 |
| Jan 15, 1987 | $19.09 |
| Jan 14, 1987 | $19.13 |
| Jan 13, 1987 | $18.86 |
| Jan 12, 1987 | $19.00 |
| Jan 9, 1987 | $18.78 |
| Jan 8, 1987 | $18.63 |
| Jan 7, 1987 | $18.28 |
| Jan 6, 1987 | $18.21 |
| Jan 5, 1987 | $17.98 |
| Jan 2, 1987 | $18.13 |
Prices dipped to $17.98 on Jan 5, 1987, then climbed to $19.13 on Jan 14, 1987 and ended at $18.73.
EIA's Brent spot price series begins on May 20, 1987, so this page has WTI prices only.
Among the 41 January averages EIA has published, 1987's ranks 7th lowest. Within 1987 it ranks 4th lowest of the 12 monthly averages. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $56.61 and the high of $19.13 equals $58.06.
January 1987 summary
| Measure | WTI |
|---|---|
| Monthly average | $18.65 |
| Change vs December 1986 | +$2.54 |
| Change vs January 1986 | −$4.28 |
| Highest daily price | $19.13 Jan 14, 1987 |
| Lowest daily price | $17.98 Jan 5, 1987 |
| Published daily observations | 21 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $56.61 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for January 1987.
January in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs January 1987 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $60.04 | +221.9% | $62.30 |
| 2025 | $75.74 | +306.1% | $80.47 |
| 2024 | $74.15 | +297.6% | $81.14 |
| 2023 | $78.12 | +318.9% | $88.13 |
| 2022 | $83.22 | +346.2% | $99.90 |
| 2021 | $52.00 | +178.8% | $67.09 |
| 2020 | $57.52 | +208.4% | $75.26 |
| 2019 | $51.38 | +175.5% | $68.89 |
| 2018 | $63.70 | +241.6% | $86.74 |
| 2017 | $52.50 | +181.5% | $72.97 |
| 2016 | $31.68 | +69.9% | $45.13 |
| 2015 | $47.22 | +153.2% | $68.19 |
| 2014 | $94.62 | +407.3% | $136.52 |
| 2013 | $94.76 | +408.1% | $138.89 |
| 2012 | $100.27 | +437.6% | $149.31 |
| 2011 | $89.17 | +378.1% | $136.66 |
| 2010 | $78.33 | +320.0% | $122.01 |
| 2009 | $41.71 | +123.6% | $66.67 |
| 2008 | $92.97 | +398.5% | $148.66 |
| 2007 | $54.51 | +192.3% | $90.89 |
| 2006 | $65.49 | +251.2% | $111.47 |
| 2005 | $46.84 | +151.2% | $82.90 |
| 2004 | $34.31 | +84.0% | $62.53 |
| 2003 | $32.95 | +76.7% | $61.21 |
| 2002 | $19.72 | +5.7% | $37.58 |
| 2001 | $29.59 | +58.7% | $57.04 |
| 2000 | $27.26 | +46.2% | $54.51 |
| 1999 | $12.52 | −32.9% | $25.72 |
| 1998 | $16.72 | −10.3% | $34.92 |
| 1997 | $25.13 | +34.7% | $53.31 |
| 1996 | $18.86 | +1.1% | $41.23 |
| 1995 | $18.04 | −3.3% | $40.51 |
| 1994 | $15.03 | −19.4% | $34.70 |
| 1993 | $19.03 | +2.0% | $45.04 |
| 1992 | $18.79 | +0.8% | $45.92 |
| 1991 | $25.23 | +35.3% | $63.26 |
| 1990 | $22.86 | +22.6% | $60.56 |
| 1989 | $18.02 | −3.4% | $50.22 |
| 1988 | $17.13 | −8.2% | $49.97 |
| 1987 | $18.65 | — | $56.61 |
| 1986 | $22.93 | +22.9% | $70.61 |
“—” 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 January 1987.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Jan 2, 1987 – Jan 30, 1987 | Jan 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)