Oil Prices in February 1988: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
At $16.80 per barrel, February 1988's WTI average was the lowest monthly average in nominal terms since December 1986, down $0.33 (1.9%) from January 1988. A year earlier, in February 1987, it averaged $17.75, so the price was lower by $0.95 (5.4%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, February 1988
Chart data table (21 rows; WTI on 21, Brent on 21)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 29, 1988 | $15.98 | $14.73 |
| Feb 26, 1988 | $15.77 | $14.65 |
| Feb 25, 1988 | $15.86 | $14.85 |
| Feb 24, 1988 | $16.58 | $15.35 |
| Feb 23, 1988 | $16.80 | $15.58 |
| Feb 22, 1988 | $16.64 | $15.38 |
| Feb 19, 1988 | $16.73 | $15.55 |
| Feb 18, 1988 | $16.50 | $15.48 |
| Feb 17, 1988 | $16.62 | $15.85 |
| Feb 16, 1988 | $16.80 | $15.63 |
| Feb 15, 1988 | $16.84 | $15.68 |
| Feb 12, 1988 | $16.84 | $15.75 |
| Feb 11, 1988 | $17.17 | $16.10 |
| Feb 10, 1988 | $17.12 | $16.13 |
| Feb 9, 1988 | $17.38 | $16.40 |
| Feb 8, 1988 | $17.70 | $16.50 |
| Feb 5, 1988 | $17.34 | $16.10 |
| Feb 4, 1988 | $17.17 | $16.18 |
| Feb 3, 1988 | $17.12 | $16.15 |
| Feb 2, 1988 | $16.92 | $16.18 |
| Feb 1, 1988 | $16.83 | $16.10 |
Prices fell over the month, from $16.83 on Feb 1, 1988 to $15.98 on Feb 29, 1988. The largest one-day move was −$0.72 on Feb 25, 1988 (−4.3%).
Brent averaged $15.73, on matched dates $1.07 below WTI on average across 21 dates.
Among the 41 February averages EIA has published, 1988's ranks 5th lowest. Within 1988 it ranks 4th highest of the 12 monthly averages. The high was $17.70 on Feb 8, 1988 and the low $15.77 on Feb 26, 1988. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $48.88 and the high of $17.70 equals $51.50.
February 1988 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $16.80 | $15.73 |
| Change vs January 1988 | −$0.33 | −$1.02 |
| Change vs February 1987 | −$0.95 | — |
| Highest daily price | $17.70 Feb 8, 1988 | $16.50 Feb 8, 1988 |
| Lowest daily price | $15.77 Feb 26, 1988 | $14.65 Feb 26, 1988 |
| Published daily observations | 21 | 21 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $48.88 | $45.77 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for February 1988.
February in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs February 1988 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $64.51 | +284.0% | $66.63 |
| 2025 | $71.53 | +325.8% | $75.66 |
| 2024 | $77.25 | +359.8% | $84.02 |
| 2023 | $76.83 | +357.3% | $86.20 |
| 2022 | $91.64 | +445.5% | $109.02 |
| 2021 | $59.04 | +251.4% | $75.76 |
| 2020 | $50.54 | +200.8% | $65.94 |
| 2019 | $54.95 | +227.1% | $73.37 |
| 2018 | $62.23 | +270.4% | $84.35 |
| 2017 | $53.47 | +218.3% | $74.08 |
| 2016 | $30.32 | +80.5% | $43.16 |
| 2015 | $50.58 | +201.1% | $72.73 |
| 2014 | $100.82 | +500.1% | $144.93 |
| 2013 | $95.31 | +467.3% | $138.56 |
| 2012 | $102.20 | +508.3% | $151.51 |
| 2011 | $88.58 | +427.3% | $135.09 |
| 2010 | $76.39 | +354.7% | $118.96 |
| 2009 | $39.09 | +132.7% | $62.18 |
| 2008 | $95.39 | +467.8% | $152.08 |
| 2007 | $59.28 | +252.9% | $98.32 |
| 2006 | $61.63 | +266.8% | $104.68 |
| 2005 | $48.15 | +186.6% | $84.73 |
| 2004 | $34.69 | +106.5% | $62.88 |
| 2003 | $35.83 | +113.3% | $66.05 |
| 2002 | $20.72 | +23.3% | $39.33 |
| 2001 | $29.61 | +76.2% | $56.85 |
| 2000 | $29.37 | +74.8% | $58.38 |
| 1999 | $12.01 | −28.5% | $24.64 |
| 1998 | $16.06 | −4.4% | $33.48 |
| 1997 | $22.18 | +32.0% | $46.90 |
| 1996 | $19.09 | +13.6% | $41.60 |
| 1995 | $18.57 | +10.5% | $41.53 |
| 1994 | $14.78 | −12.0% | $34.00 |
| 1993 | $20.09 | +19.6% | $47.38 |
| 1992 | $19.01 | +13.2% | $46.29 |
| 1991 | $20.48 | +21.9% | $51.28 |
| 1990 | $22.11 | +31.6% | $58.30 |
| 1989 | $17.94 | +6.8% | $49.79 |
| 1988 | $16.80 | — | $48.88 |
| 1987 | $17.75 | +5.7% | $53.68 |
| 1986 | $15.46 | −8.0% | $47.74 |
“—” 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 February 1988.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Feb 1, 1988 – Feb 29, 1988 | Feb 29, 1988 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Feb 1, 1988 – Feb 29, 1988 | Feb 29, 1988 |
| 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:1988 daily prices (CSV)