Oil Prices in July 1987: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
At $21.34 per barrel, July 1987's WTI average was the highest monthly average in nominal terms since January 1986, up $1.27 (6.3%) from June 1987. The average was 84% above the $11.59 of July 1986.
Daily spot prices, July 1987
Chart data table (23 rows; WTI on 23, Brent on 23)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 31, 1987 | $21.43 | $20.03 |
| Jul 30, 1987 | $21.47 | $20.20 |
| Jul 29, 1987 | $21.49 | $19.98 |
| Jul 28, 1987 | $21.35 | $19.78 |
| Jul 27, 1987 | $20.50 | $19.30 |
| Jul 24, 1987 | $20.58 | $19.58 |
| Jul 23, 1987 | $21.23 | $20.15 |
| Jul 22, 1987 | $21.73 | $20.33 |
| Jul 21, 1987 | $21.75 | $20.35 |
| Jul 20, 1987 | $22.23 | $20.55 |
| Jul 17, 1987 | $22.44 | $20.63 |
| Jul 16, 1987 | $22.44 | $20.40 |
| Jul 15, 1987 | $22.23 | $20.28 |
| Jul 14, 1987 | $21.65 | $19.88 |
| Jul 13, 1987 | $21.38 | $19.83 |
| Jul 10, 1987 | $21.34 | $19.73 |
| Jul 9, 1987 | $21.32 | $19.68 |
| Jul 8, 1987 | $20.94 | $19.48 |
| Jul 7, 1987 | $20.76 | $19.50 |
| Jul 6, 1987 | $20.92 | $19.48 |
| Jul 3, 1987 | $20.61 | $19.33 |
| Jul 2, 1987 | $20.61 | $19.25 |
| Jul 1, 1987 | $20.47 | $18.98 |
The month's range ran from $20.47 on Jul 1, 1987 to $22.44 on Jul 16, 1987; the last price was $21.43 on Jul 31, 1987. The largest one-day move was +$0.85 on Jul 28, 1987 (+4.1%).
Brent averaged $19.86, on matched dates $1.49 below WTI on average across 23 dates.
Among the 41 July averages EIA has published, 1987's ranks 12th lowest. Within 1987 it ranks the highest of the 12 monthly averages. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $63.29 and the high of $22.44 equals $66.55.
July 1987 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $21.34 | $19.86 |
| Change vs June 1987 | +$1.27 | +$1.00 |
| Change vs July 1986 | +$9.75 | — |
| Highest daily price | $22.44 Jul 16, 1987 | $20.63 Jul 17, 1987 |
| Lowest daily price | $20.47 Jul 1, 1987 | $18.98 Jul 1, 1987 |
| Published daily observations | 23 | 23 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $63.29 | $58.90 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for July 1987.
July in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs July 1987 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $80.46 | +277.0% | $81.33 |
| 2025 | $68.39 | +220.5% | $71.45 |
| 2024 | $81.80 | +283.3% | $87.77 |
| 2023 | $76.07 | +256.5% | $83.99 |
| 2022 | $101.62 | +376.2% | $115.76 |
| 2021 | $72.49 | +239.7% | $89.62 |
| 2020 | $40.71 | +90.8% | $53.03 |
| 2019 | $57.35 | +168.7% | $75.44 |
| 2018 | $70.98 | +232.6% | $95.06 |
| 2017 | $46.63 | +118.5% | $64.29 |
| 2016 | $44.65 | +109.2% | $62.63 |
| 2015 | $50.90 | +138.5% | $71.98 |
| 2014 | $103.59 | +385.4% | $146.75 |
| 2013 | $104.67 | +390.5% | $151.23 |
| 2012 | $87.90 | +311.9% | $129.49 |
| 2011 | $97.30 | +356.0% | $145.36 |
| 2010 | $76.32 | +257.6% | $118.15 |
| 2009 | $64.15 | +200.6% | $100.54 |
| 2008 | $133.37 | +525.0% | $204.64 |
| 2007 | $74.12 | +247.3% | $120.10 |
| 2006 | $74.41 | +248.7% | $123.41 |
| 2005 | $59.00 | +176.5% | $101.91 |
| 2004 | $40.78 | +91.1% | $72.67 |
| 2003 | $30.76 | +44.1% | $56.45 |
| 2002 | $26.97 | +26.4% | $50.54 |
| 2001 | $26.43 | +23.9% | $50.26 |
| 2000 | $29.70 | +39.2% | $58.01 |
| 1999 | $20.10 | −5.8% | $40.70 |
| 1998 | $14.17 | −33.6% | $29.30 |
| 1997 | $19.66 | −7.9% | $41.34 |
| 1996 | $21.30 | −0.2% | $45.79 |
| 1995 | $17.33 | −18.8% | $38.35 |
| 1994 | $19.66 | −7.9% | $44.71 |
| 1993 | $17.89 | −16.2% | $41.81 |
| 1992 | $21.78 | +2.1% | $52.32 |
| 1991 | $21.40 | +0.3% | $53.03 |
| 1990 | $18.45 | −13.5% | $47.75 |
| 1989 | $19.78 | −7.3% | $53.67 |
| 1988 | $15.50 | −27.4% | $44.15 |
| 1987 | $21.34 | — | $63.29 |
| 1986 | $11.59 | −45.7% | $35.72 |
“—” 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 July 1987.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Jul 1, 1987 – Jul 31, 1987 | Jul 31, 1987 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Jul 1, 1987 – Jul 31, 1987 | Jul 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)