Oil Prices in September 1987: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $19.53 per barrel in September 1987, down $0.78 (3.8%) from August 1987. The average was 31% above the $14.87 of September 1986.
Daily spot prices, September 1987
Chart data table (22 rows; WTI on 22, Brent on 22)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 30, 1987 | $19.62 | $18.48 |
| Sep 29, 1987 | $19.58 | $18.50 |
| Sep 28, 1987 | $19.48 | $18.65 |
| Sep 25, 1987 | $19.47 | $18.60 |
| Sep 24, 1987 | $19.61 | $18.68 |
| Sep 23, 1987 | $19.66 | $18.48 |
| Sep 22, 1987 | $19.35 | $18.48 |
| Sep 21, 1987 | $19.77 | $18.28 |
| Sep 18, 1987 | $19.58 | $18.30 |
| Sep 17, 1987 | $19.58 | $18.43 |
| Sep 16, 1987 | $19.71 | $18.53 |
| Sep 15, 1987 | $19.66 | $18.53 |
| Sep 14, 1987 | $19.64 | $18.15 |
| Sep 11, 1987 | $19.42 | $18.18 |
| Sep 10, 1987 | $19.72 | $18.30 |
| Sep 9, 1987 | $19.43 | $17.90 |
| Sep 8, 1987 | $18.99 | $17.68 |
| Sep 7, 1987 | $19.34 | $17.60 |
| Sep 4, 1987 | $19.34 | $18.13 |
| Sep 3, 1987 | $19.48 | $18.18 |
| Sep 2, 1987 | $19.62 | $18.40 |
| Sep 1, 1987 | $19.61 | $18.43 |
Daily prices stayed within $0.78, from $18.99 (Sep 8, 1987) to $19.77 (Sep 21, 1987).
Brent averaged $18.31, on matched dates $1.22 below WTI on average across 22 dates.
Among the 41 September averages EIA has published, 1987's ranks 7th lowest. Within 1987 it ranks 5th highest of the 12 monthly averages. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $57.32 and the high of $19.77 equals $58.02.
September 1987 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $19.53 | $18.31 |
| Change vs August 1987 | −$0.78 | −$0.67 |
| Change vs September 1986 | +$4.66 | — |
| Highest daily price | $19.77 Sep 21, 1987 | $18.68 Sep 24, 1987 |
| Lowest daily price | $18.99 Sep 8, 1987 | $17.60 Sep 7, 1987 |
| Published daily observations | 22 | 22 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $57.32 | $53.74 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for September 1987.
September in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs September 1987 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $97.31 | +398.3% | $97.47 |
| 2025 | $63.96 | +227.5% | $66.46 |
| 2024 | $70.24 | +259.7% | $75.19 |
| 2023 | $89.43 | +357.9% | $98.07 |
| 2022 | $84.26 | +331.4% | $95.82 |
| 2021 | $71.65 | +266.9% | $88.16 |
| 2020 | $39.63 | +102.9% | $51.39 |
| 2019 | $56.95 | +191.6% | $74.86 |
| 2018 | $70.23 | +259.6% | $93.90 |
| 2017 | $49.82 | +155.1% | $68.13 |
| 2016 | $45.18 | +131.3% | $63.16 |
| 2015 | $45.48 | +132.9% | $64.51 |
| 2014 | $93.21 | +377.3% | $132.17 |
| 2013 | $106.29 | +444.2% | $153.21 |
| 2012 | $94.51 | +383.9% | $137.84 |
| 2011 | $85.52 | +337.9% | $127.22 |
| 2010 | $75.24 | +285.3% | $116.25 |
| 2009 | $69.41 | +255.4% | $108.47 |
| 2008 | $104.11 | +433.1% | $160.61 |
| 2007 | $79.92 | +309.2% | $129.38 |
| 2006 | $63.80 | +226.7% | $106.13 |
| 2005 | $65.59 | +235.8% | $111.35 |
| 2004 | $45.94 | +135.2% | $81.65 |
| 2003 | $28.31 | +45.0% | $51.59 |
| 2002 | $29.66 | +51.9% | $55.31 |
| 2001 | $26.20 | +34.2% | $49.59 |
| 2000 | $33.88 | +73.5% | $65.83 |
| 1999 | $23.80 | +21.9% | $47.84 |
| 1998 | $15.03 | −23.0% | $31.01 |
| 1997 | $19.80 | +1.4% | $41.46 |
| 1996 | $23.97 | +22.7% | $51.27 |
| 1995 | $18.23 | −6.7% | $40.16 |
| 1994 | $17.45 | −10.7% | $39.42 |
| 1993 | $17.50 | −10.4% | $40.71 |
| 1992 | $21.88 | +12.0% | $52.26 |
| 1991 | $21.89 | +12.1% | $53.85 |
| 1990 | $33.51 | +71.6% | $85.23 |
| 1989 | $19.59 | +0.3% | $52.89 |
| 1988 | $14.54 | −25.6% | $40.96 |
| 1987 | $19.53 | — | $57.32 |
| 1986 | $14.87 | −23.9% | $45.54 |
“—” 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 September 1987.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Sep 1, 1987 – Sep 30, 1987 | Sep 30, 1987 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Sep 1, 1987 – Sep 30, 1987 | Sep 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)