Oil Prices in November 1987: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $18.85 per barrel in November 1987, down $1.01 (5.1%) from October 1987. A year earlier, in November 1986, it averaged $15.22, so the price was higher by $3.63 (23.9%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, November 1987
Chart data table (21 rows; WTI on 20, Brent on 21)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 30, 1987 | $18.52 | $17.70 |
| Nov 27, 1987 | $18.63 | $17.78 |
| Nov 26, 1987 | — | $17.73 |
| Nov 25, 1987 | $18.63 | $17.68 |
| Nov 24, 1987 | $18.73 | $17.83 |
| Nov 23, 1987 | $19.31 | $17.90 |
| Nov 20, 1987 | $18.87 | $17.60 |
| Nov 19, 1987 | $18.55 | $17.48 |
| Nov 18, 1987 | $18.62 | $17.18 |
| Nov 17, 1987 | $18.28 | $17.40 |
| Nov 16, 1987 | $18.69 | $17.68 |
| Nov 13, 1987 | $18.89 | $17.80 |
| Nov 12, 1987 | $18.93 | $17.85 |
| Nov 11, 1987 | $18.92 | $17.80 |
| Nov 10, 1987 | $18.98 | $17.75 |
| Nov 9, 1987 | $18.66 | $17.50 |
| Nov 6, 1987 | $18.73 | $17.95 |
| Nov 5, 1987 | $19.02 | $17.85 |
| Nov 4, 1987 | $19.09 | $17.93 |
| Nov 3, 1987 | $19.39 | $18.38 |
| Nov 2, 1987 | $19.64 | $18.63 |
Prices fell over the month, from $19.64 on Nov 2, 1987 to $18.52 on Nov 30, 1987, with declines on 14 of 19 trading days.
Brent averaged $17.78, on matched dates $1.07 below WTI on average across 20 dates.
Among the 40 November averages EIA has published, 1987's ranks 7th lowest. Within 1987 it ranks 6th lowest of the 12 monthly averages. The high was $19.64 on Nov 2, 1987 and the low $18.28 on Nov 17, 1987. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $55.13 and the high of $19.64 equals $57.44.
November 1987 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $18.85 | $17.78 |
| Change vs October 1987 | −$1.01 | −$0.98 |
| Change vs November 1986 | +$3.63 | — |
| Highest daily price | $19.64 Nov 2, 1987 | $18.63 Nov 2, 1987 |
| Lowest daily price | $18.28 Nov 17, 1987 | $17.18 Nov 18, 1987 |
| Published daily observations | 20 | 21 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $55.13 | $52.00 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for November 1987.
November in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs November 1987 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (to date) | $99.85 | +429.7% | — |
| 2025 | $60.06 | +218.6% | $62.54 |
| 2024 | $69.95 | +271.1% | $74.83 |
| 2023 | $77.69 | +312.1% | $85.40 |
| 2022 | $84.37 | +347.6% | $95.65 |
| 2021 | $79.15 | +319.9% | $96.11 |
| 2020 | $40.94 | +117.2% | $53.10 |
| 2019 | $57.03 | +202.5% | $74.84 |
| 2018 | $56.96 | +202.2% | $76.28 |
| 2017 | $56.64 | +200.5% | $77.50 |
| 2016 | $45.66 | +142.2% | $63.85 |
| 2015 | $42.44 | +125.1% | $60.35 |
| 2014 | $75.79 | +302.1% | $108.32 |
| 2013 | $93.86 | +397.9% | $135.92 |
| 2012 | $86.53 | +359.0% | $126.86 |
| 2011 | $97.16 | +415.4% | $144.95 |
| 2010 | $84.25 | +346.9% | $129.96 |
| 2009 | $77.99 | +313.7% | $121.68 |
| 2008 | $57.31 | +204.0% | $91.06 |
| 2007 | $94.77 | +402.8% | $152.19 |
| 2006 | $59.08 | +213.4% | $98.96 |
| 2005 | $58.32 | +209.4% | $99.61 |
| 2004 | $48.47 | +157.1% | $85.65 |
| 2003 | $31.11 | +65.0% | $56.91 |
| 2002 | $26.35 | +39.8% | $49.05 |
| 2001 | $19.64 | +4.2% | $37.37 |
| 2000 | $34.42 | +82.6% | $66.73 |
| 1999 | $25.00 | +32.6% | $50.14 |
| 1998 | $13.00 | −31.0% | $26.75 |
| 1997 | $20.19 | +7.1% | $42.19 |
| 1996 | $23.71 | +25.8% | $50.46 |
| 1995 | $17.99 | −4.6% | $39.53 |
| 1994 | $18.07 | −4.1% | $40.74 |
| 1993 | $16.61 | −11.9% | $38.45 |
| 1992 | $20.34 | +7.9% | $48.34 |
| 1991 | $22.46 | +19.2% | $55.01 |
| 1990 | $32.33 | +71.5% | $81.55 |
| 1989 | $19.86 | +5.4% | $53.24 |
| 1988 | $14.14 | −25.0% | $39.67 |
| 1987 | $18.85 | — | $55.13 |
| 1986 | $15.22 | −19.3% | $46.53 |
“—” 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 November 1987.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Nov 2, 1987 – Nov 30, 1987 | Nov 30, 1987 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Nov 2, 1987 – Nov 30, 1987 | Nov 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)