Oil Prices in March 1987: WTI Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $18.30 per barrel in March 1987, up $0.55 (3.1%) from February 1987. The average was 45% above the $12.61 of March 1986.
Daily spot prices, March 1987
Chart data table (21 rows)
| Period | WTI |
|---|---|
| Mar 31, 1987 | $18.82 |
| Mar 30, 1987 | $18.67 |
| Mar 27, 1987 | $18.65 |
| Mar 26, 1987 | $18.63 |
| Mar 25, 1987 | $18.48 |
| Mar 23, 1987 | $18.60 |
| Mar 20, 1987 | $18.70 |
| Mar 19, 1987 | $18.61 |
| Mar 18, 1987 | $18.75 |
| Mar 17, 1987 | $18.94 |
| Mar 16, 1987 | $18.61 |
| Mar 13, 1987 | $18.39 |
| Mar 12, 1987 | $18.42 |
| Mar 11, 1987 | $18.33 |
| Mar 10, 1987 | $18.27 |
| Mar 9, 1987 | $18.13 |
| Mar 6, 1987 | $18.13 |
| Mar 5, 1987 | $18.00 |
| Mar 4, 1987 | $17.40 |
| Mar 3, 1987 | $17.40 |
| Mar 2, 1987 | $16.43 |
Prices rose over the month, from $16.43 on Mar 2, 1987 to $18.82 on Mar 31, 1987, with gains on 13 of 19 trading days. The largest one-day move was +$0.97 on Mar 3, 1987 (+5.9%).
EIA's Brent spot price series begins on May 20, 1987, so this page has WTI prices only.
Among the 41 March averages EIA has published, 1987's ranks 6th lowest. Within 1987 it ranks 3rd lowest of the 12 monthly averages. The high was $18.94 on Mar 17, 1987 and the low $16.43 on Mar 2, 1987. WTI moved 5% or more from the previous published price on 1 day. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $55.10 and the high of $18.94 equals $57.02.
March 1987 summary
| Measure | WTI |
|---|---|
| Monthly average | $18.30 |
| Change vs February 1987 | +$0.55 |
| Change vs March 1986 | +$5.69 |
| Highest daily price | $18.94 Mar 17, 1987 |
| Lowest daily price | $16.43 Mar 2, 1987 |
| Published daily observations | 21 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $55.10 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for March 1987.
March in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs March 1987 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $91.38 | +399.3% | $93.40 |
| 2025 | $68.24 | +272.9% | $72.02 |
| 2024 | $81.28 | +344.2% | $87.83 |
| 2023 | $73.28 | +300.4% | $81.94 |
| 2022 | $108.50 | +492.9% | $127.37 |
| 2021 | $62.33 | +240.6% | $79.42 |
| 2020 | $29.21 | +59.6% | $38.19 |
| 2019 | $58.15 | +217.8% | $77.21 |
| 2018 | $62.73 | +242.8% | $84.84 |
| 2017 | $49.33 | +169.6% | $68.29 |
| 2016 | $37.55 | +105.2% | $53.22 |
| 2015 | $47.82 | +161.3% | $68.35 |
| 2014 | $100.80 | +450.8% | $143.98 |
| 2013 | $92.94 | +407.9% | $134.76 |
| 2012 | $106.16 | +480.1% | $156.20 |
| 2011 | $102.86 | +462.1% | $155.35 |
| 2010 | $81.20 | +343.7% | $125.93 |
| 2009 | $47.94 | +162.0% | $76.07 |
| 2008 | $105.45 | +476.2% | $166.68 |
| 2007 | $60.44 | +230.3% | $99.34 |
| 2006 | $62.69 | +242.6% | $105.90 |
| 2005 | $54.19 | +196.1% | $94.62 |
| 2004 | $36.74 | +100.8% | $66.17 |
| 2003 | $33.51 | +83.1% | $61.40 |
| 2002 | $24.53 | +34.0% | $46.30 |
| 2001 | $27.25 | +48.9% | $52.20 |
| 2000 | $29.84 | +63.1% | $58.83 |
| 1999 | $14.68 | −19.8% | $30.03 |
| 1998 | $15.12 | −17.4% | $31.46 |
| 1997 | $20.97 | +14.6% | $44.24 |
| 1996 | $21.33 | +16.6% | $46.24 |
| 1995 | $18.54 | +1.3% | $41.33 |
| 1994 | $14.68 | −19.8% | $33.66 |
| 1993 | $20.32 | +11.0% | $47.76 |
| 1992 | $18.92 | +3.4% | $45.84 |
| 1991 | $19.90 | +8.7% | $49.75 |
| 1990 | $20.39 | +11.4% | $53.47 |
| 1989 | $19.48 | +6.4% | $53.76 |
| 1988 | $16.20 | −11.5% | $46.93 |
| 1987 | $18.30 | — | $55.10 |
| 1986 | $12.61 | −31.1% | $39.12 |
“—” 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 March 1987.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Mar 2, 1987 – Mar 31, 1987 | Mar 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)