Oil Prices in 1989: WTI & Brent History and Monthly Averages
WTI averaged $19.64 per barrel in 1989, up $3.67 (23.0%) from 1988; that was the highest annual average since EIA's WTI series began in 1986.
Monthly average prices in 1989
| Month | WTI avg | WTI high | WTI low | Brent avg | Brent − WTI (matched dates) | WTI (September 2026 $) | Brent (September 2026 $) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | $18.02 | $19.28 | $16.99 | $17.17 | −$0.85 | $50.14 | $47.77 |
| February | $17.94 | $18.64 | $17.11 | $16.89 | −$1.05 | $49.71 | $46.80 |
| March | $19.48 | $21.03 | $18.12 | $18.70 | −$0.73 | $53.67 | $51.52 |
| April | $21.07 | $24.62 | $19.85 | $20.32 | −$0.75 | $57.67 | $55.62 |
| May | $20.12 | $21.77 | $19.41 | $18.63 | −$1.47 | $54.76 | $50.70 |
| June | $20.05 | $20.88 | $19.30 | $17.67 | −$2.38 | $54.44 | $47.98 |
| July | $19.78 | $20.98 | $17.96 | $17.62 | −$2.16 | $53.57 | $47.72 |
| August | $18.58 | $19.15 | $17.91 | $16.77 | −$1.81 | $50.24 | $45.35 |
| September | $19.59 | $20.15 | $18.88 | $17.77 | −$1.83 | $52.81 | $47.90 |
| October | $20.10 | $20.91 | $19.48 | $18.91 | −$1.19 | $53.92 | $50.73 |
| November | $19.86 | $20.52 | $19.33 | $18.73 | −$1.13 | $53.15 | $50.13 |
| December | $21.10 | $22.20 | $20.22 | $19.84 | −$1.22 | $56.38 | $53.01 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Brent − WTI is the average over dates with both prices published, so it can differ from the difference between the two monthly averages. Inflation-adjusted columns use CPI-U for each month, expressed in September 2026 dollars; “—” means CPI-U for that month is not available.
From $16.99 on Jan 4, 1989, WTI climbed to $24.62 by Apr 20, 1989, a 45% gain. The steepest fall within the year ran from $24.62 on Apr 20, 1989 to $17.91 on Aug 1, 1989, a 27% drop. The price finished the year 26% above its first 1989 close of $17.38. The price moved by 5% or more in a single day 7 times.
Brent traded below WTI throughout 1989: its monthly average was lower in every month, and on the 254 matched dates it averaged $1.39 less. Brent averaged $18.23, up $3.32 (22.3%) from 1988.
The monthly average was lowest in February ($17.94) and highest in December ($21.10). In September 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the 1989 average is $53.37, lower than 2025's real average by $15.07 (22.0%). The 1980s as a whole averaged $17.46, so 1989 ran above its decade. Of 40 complete years with an EIA annual average, 1989 ranks 9th lowest.
1989 summary statistics
| Measure | WTI | Brent | Brent − WTI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $19.64 | $18.23 | −$1.39 |
| Change vs 1988 average | +$3.67 | +$3.32 | −$0.35 |
| Highest daily price | $24.62 Apr 20, 1989 | $22.25 Apr 20, 1989 | — |
| Lowest daily price | $16.99 Jan 4, 1989 | $16.05 Aug 7, 1989 | — |
| Highest daily spread | — | — | +$0.56 Apr 24, 1989 |
| Lowest daily spread | — | — | −$4.07 May 23, 1989 |
| First observation | $17.38 Jan 3, 1989 | $16.40 Jan 3, 1989 | — |
| Last observation | $21.84 Dec 29, 1989 | $21.05 Dec 29, 1989 | — |
| Published daily observations | 257 | 254 | 254 matched |
| Average in September 2026 dollars | $53.37 | $49.54 | — |
Daily spot prices in 1989
Show all 257 dates (Jan 3, 1989 – Dec 29, 1989)
| Date | WTI | Brent | Brent − WTI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 3, 1989 | $17.38 | $16.40 | −$0.98 |
| Jan 4, 1989 | $16.99 | $16.53 | −$0.46 |
| Jan 5, 1989 | $17.45 | $16.58 | −$0.87 |
| Jan 6, 1989 | $17.56 | $16.85 | −$0.71 |
| Jan 9, 1989 | $17.74 | $17.00 | −$0.74 |
| Jan 10, 1989 | $17.80 | $16.75 | −$1.05 |
| Jan 11, 1989 | $18.16 | $16.90 | −$1.26 |
| Jan 12, 1989 | $18.11 | $16.85 | −$1.26 |
| Jan 13, 1989 | $18.49 | $17.40 | −$1.09 |
| Jan 16, 1989 | $18.88 | $17.50 | −$1.38 |
| Jan 17, 1989 | $19.03 | $17.78 | −$1.25 |
| Jan 18, 1989 | $19.20 | $17.95 | −$1.25 |
| Jan 19, 1989 | $19.28 | $18.10 | −$1.18 |
| Jan 20, 1989 | $18.85 | $18.15 | −$0.70 |
| Jan 23, 1989 | $17.66 | $16.98 | −$0.68 |
| Jan 24, 1989 | $17.96 | $17.05 | −$0.91 |
| Jan 25, 1989 | $18.23 | $17.70 | −$0.53 |
| Jan 26, 1989 | $17.68 | $17.73 | +$0.05 |
| Jan 27, 1989 | $17.74 | $17.18 | −$0.56 |
| Jan 30, 1989 | $17.32 | $16.85 | −$0.47 |
| Jan 31, 1989 | $17.00 | $16.38 | −$0.62 |
| Feb 1, 1989 | $17.50 | $16.40 | −$1.10 |
| Feb 2, 1989 | $17.72 | $16.95 | −$0.77 |
| Feb 3, 1989 | $17.51 | $16.75 | −$0.76 |
| Feb 6, 1989 | $17.38 | $16.50 | −$0.88 |
| Feb 7, 1989 | $17.55 | $16.60 | −$0.95 |
| Feb 8, 1989 | $17.49 | $16.75 | −$0.74 |
| Feb 9, 1989 | $17.42 | $16.58 | −$0.84 |
| Feb 10, 1989 | $17.11 | $16.40 | −$0.71 |
| Feb 13, 1989 | $17.61 | $16.50 | −$1.11 |
| Feb 14, 1989 | $17.60 | $16.83 | −$0.77 |
| Feb 15, 1989 | $18.23 | $16.75 | −$1.48 |
| Feb 16, 1989 | $18.35 | $17.15 | −$1.20 |
| Feb 17, 1989 | $18.60 | $17.15 | −$1.45 |
| Feb 20, 1989 | $18.60 | $17.38 | −$1.22 |
| Feb 21, 1989 | $18.64 | $17.20 | −$1.44 |
| Feb 22, 1989 | $18.50 | $16.95 | −$1.55 |
| Feb 23, 1989 | $18.49 | $17.10 | −$1.39 |
| Feb 24, 1989 | $18.06 | $17.05 | −$1.01 |
| Feb 27, 1989 | $18.16 | $17.55 | −$0.61 |
| Feb 28, 1989 | $18.21 | $17.23 | −$0.98 |
| Mar 1, 1989 | $18.30 | $17.25 | −$1.05 |
| Mar 2, 1989 | $18.68 | $17.45 | −$1.23 |
| Mar 3, 1989 | $18.67 | $17.73 | −$0.94 |
| Mar 6, 1989 | $18.73 | $17.73 | −$1.00 |
| Mar 7, 1989 | $18.12 | $17.55 | −$0.57 |
| Mar 8, 1989 | $18.57 | $17.55 | −$1.02 |
| Mar 9, 1989 | $18.53 | $17.80 | −$0.73 |
| Mar 10, 1989 | $18.53 | $17.63 | −$0.90 |
| Mar 13, 1989 | $19.05 | $18.10 | −$0.95 |
| Mar 14, 1989 | $19.47 | $18.63 | −$0.84 |
| Mar 15, 1989 | $19.84 | $19.08 | −$0.76 |
| Mar 16, 1989 | $19.86 | $18.95 | −$0.91 |
| Mar 17, 1989 | $20.34 | $19.30 | −$1.04 |
| Mar 20, 1989 | $19.53 | $19.18 | −$0.35 |
| Mar 21, 1989 | $20.08 | $19.63 | −$0.45 |
| Mar 22, 1989 | $20.21 | $19.60 | −$0.61 |
| Mar 23, 1989 | $20.16 | $19.93 | −$0.23 |
| Mar 27, 1989 | $20.55 | — | — |
| Mar 28, 1989 | $19.93 | $19.73 | −$0.20 |
| Mar 29, 1989 | $20.20 | $19.45 | −$0.75 |
| Mar 30, 1989 | $21.03 | $20.00 | −$1.03 |
| Mar 31, 1989 | $20.27 | $20.45 | +$0.18 |
| Apr 3, 1989 | $20.03 | $19.65 | −$0.38 |
| Apr 4, 1989 | $20.59 | $19.90 | −$0.69 |
| Apr 5, 1989 | $20.07 | $19.75 | −$0.32 |
| Apr 6, 1989 | $19.85 | $19.08 | −$0.77 |
| Apr 7, 1989 | $20.03 | $19.40 | −$0.63 |
| Apr 10, 1989 | $20.65 | $19.60 | −$1.05 |
| Apr 11, 1989 | $20.56 | $19.95 | −$0.61 |
| Apr 12, 1989 | $20.66 | $19.85 | −$0.81 |
| Apr 13, 1989 | $20.26 | $19.95 | −$0.31 |
| Apr 14, 1989 | $20.68 | $19.63 | −$1.05 |
| Apr 17, 1989 | $21.23 | $19.88 | −$1.35 |
| Apr 18, 1989 | $21.74 | $20.20 | −$1.54 |
| Apr 19, 1989 | $22.66 | $21.50 | −$1.16 |
| Apr 20, 1989 | $24.62 | $22.25 | −$2.37 |
| Apr 21, 1989 | $23.38 | $21.60 | −$1.78 |
| Apr 24, 1989 | $20.64 | $21.20 | +$0.56 |
| Apr 25, 1989 | $21.32 | $21.15 | −$0.17 |
| Apr 26, 1989 | $21.20 | $21.05 | −$0.15 |
| Apr 27, 1989 | $20.83 | $20.65 | −$0.18 |
| Apr 28, 1989 | $20.38 | $20.15 | −$0.23 |
| May 1, 1989 | $20.66 | — | — |
| May 2, 1989 | $19.73 | $19.15 | −$0.58 |
| May 3, 1989 | $20.13 | $18.88 | −$1.25 |
| May 4, 1989 | $20.57 | $19.70 | −$0.87 |
| May 5, 1989 | $20.08 | $19.40 | −$0.68 |
| May 8, 1989 | $19.41 | $18.80 | −$0.61 |
| May 9, 1989 | $19.54 | $19.03 | −$0.51 |
| May 10, 1989 | $19.56 | $18.88 | −$0.68 |
| May 11, 1989 | $20.13 | $19.30 | −$0.83 |
| May 12, 1989 | $20.12 | $19.20 | −$0.92 |
| May 15, 1989 | $20.53 | $19.20 | −$1.33 |
| May 16, 1989 | $20.58 | $19.80 | −$0.78 |
| May 17, 1989 | $20.15 | $18.58 | −$1.57 |
| May 18, 1989 | $20.25 | $18.60 | −$1.65 |
| May 19, 1989 | $20.58 | $18.30 | −$2.28 |
| May 22, 1989 | $20.92 | $17.40 | −$3.52 |
| May 23, 1989 | $21.77 | $17.70 | −$4.07 |
| May 24, 1989 | $19.68 | $18.15 | −$1.53 |
| May 25, 1989 | $19.46 | $18.20 | −$1.26 |
| May 26, 1989 | $19.55 | $17.65 | −$1.90 |
| May 29, 1989 | $19.55 | $17.73 | −$1.82 |
| May 30, 1989 | $19.96 | $18.03 | −$1.93 |
| May 31, 1989 | $19.93 | $18.25 | −$1.68 |
| Jun 1, 1989 | $19.83 | $18.08 | −$1.75 |
| Jun 2, 1989 | $20.18 | $18.15 | −$2.03 |
| Jun 5, 1989 | $20.50 | $18.55 | −$1.95 |
| Jun 6, 1989 | $20.38 | $18.50 | −$1.88 |
| Jun 7, 1989 | $19.70 | $18.15 | −$1.55 |
| Jun 8, 1989 | $19.94 | $17.80 | −$2.14 |
| Jun 9, 1989 | $19.87 | $17.95 | −$1.92 |
| Jun 12, 1989 | $19.30 | $17.18 | −$2.12 |
| Jun 13, 1989 | $19.50 | $16.80 | −$2.70 |
| Jun 14, 1989 | $20.37 | $16.90 | −$3.47 |
| Jun 15, 1989 | $20.56 | $16.95 | −$3.61 |
| Jun 16, 1989 | $19.98 | $16.65 | −$3.33 |
| Jun 19, 1989 | $20.88 | $16.85 | −$4.03 |
| Jun 20, 1989 | $19.88 | $16.88 | −$3.00 |
| Jun 21, 1989 | $19.74 | $17.13 | −$2.61 |
| Jun 22, 1989 | $19.53 | $17.30 | −$2.23 |
| Jun 23, 1989 | $19.71 | $18.03 | −$1.68 |
| Jun 26, 1989 | $20.28 | $18.23 | −$2.05 |
| Jun 27, 1989 | $20.38 | $18.20 | −$2.18 |
| Jun 28, 1989 | $20.04 | $18.00 | −$2.04 |
| Jun 29, 1989 | $20.27 | $18.20 | −$2.07 |
| Jun 30, 1989 | $20.29 | $18.28 | −$2.01 |
| Jul 3, 1989 | $20.55 | $18.40 | −$2.15 |
| Jul 4, 1989 | $20.29 | $18.60 | −$1.69 |
| Jul 5, 1989 | $20.98 | $18.75 | −$2.23 |
| Jul 6, 1989 | $20.35 | $18.30 | −$2.05 |
| Jul 7, 1989 | $20.78 | $17.85 | −$2.93 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | $20.38 | $17.83 | −$2.55 |
| Jul 11, 1989 | $20.75 | $17.63 | −$3.12 |
| Jul 12, 1989 | $20.20 | $17.65 | −$2.55 |
| Jul 13, 1989 | $20.42 | $17.60 | −$2.82 |
| Jul 14, 1989 | $20.36 | $17.90 | −$2.46 |
| Jul 17, 1989 | $20.49 | $18.05 | −$2.44 |
| Jul 18, 1989 | $20.21 | $18.05 | −$2.16 |
| Jul 19, 1989 | $19.83 | $17.85 | −$1.98 |
| Jul 20, 1989 | $19.92 | $17.98 | −$1.94 |
| Jul 21, 1989 | $19.86 | $17.83 | −$2.03 |
| Jul 24, 1989 | $18.76 | $17.30 | −$1.46 |
| Jul 25, 1989 | $18.52 | $17.05 | −$1.47 |
| Jul 26, 1989 | $18.32 | $16.50 | −$1.82 |
| Jul 27, 1989 | $18.15 | $16.28 | −$1.87 |
| Jul 28, 1989 | $17.96 | $16.38 | −$1.58 |
| Jul 31, 1989 | $18.33 | $16.30 | −$2.03 |
| Aug 1, 1989 | $17.91 | $16.23 | −$1.68 |
| Aug 2, 1989 | $18.28 | $16.10 | −$2.18 |
| Aug 3, 1989 | $18.18 | $16.40 | −$1.78 |
| Aug 4, 1989 | $18.05 | $16.15 | −$1.90 |
| Aug 7, 1989 | $17.91 | $16.05 | −$1.86 |
| Aug 8, 1989 | $18.06 | $16.28 | −$1.78 |
| Aug 9, 1989 | $18.23 | $16.45 | −$1.78 |
| Aug 10, 1989 | $18.58 | $16.93 | −$1.65 |
| Aug 11, 1989 | $18.46 | $17.00 | −$1.46 |
| Aug 14, 1989 | $18.60 | $16.85 | −$1.75 |
| Aug 15, 1989 | $18.78 | $17.00 | −$1.78 |
| Aug 16, 1989 | $18.99 | $17.00 | −$1.99 |
| Aug 17, 1989 | $18.67 | $16.95 | −$1.72 |
| Aug 18, 1989 | $18.82 | $16.83 | −$1.99 |
| Aug 21, 1989 | $19.10 | $16.90 | −$2.20 |
| Aug 22, 1989 | $19.01 | $17.10 | −$1.91 |
| Aug 23, 1989 | $19.15 | $17.08 | −$2.07 |
| Aug 24, 1989 | $19.02 | $17.05 | −$1.97 |
| Aug 25, 1989 | $18.53 | $16.95 | −$1.58 |
| Aug 28, 1989 | $18.69 | $16.98 | −$1.71 |
| Aug 29, 1989 | $18.59 | $17.10 | −$1.49 |
| Aug 30, 1989 | $18.85 | $17.13 | −$1.72 |
| Aug 31, 1989 | $18.83 | $17.20 | −$1.63 |
| Sep 1, 1989 | $18.88 | $17.33 | −$1.55 |
| Sep 4, 1989 | $18.88 | $17.43 | −$1.45 |
| Sep 5, 1989 | $19.08 | $17.45 | −$1.63 |
| Sep 6, 1989 | $19.41 | $17.80 | −$1.61 |
| Sep 7, 1989 | $19.40 | $17.80 | −$1.60 |
| Sep 8, 1989 | $19.77 | $17.83 | −$1.94 |
| Sep 11, 1989 | $19.77 | $17.98 | −$1.79 |
| Sep 12, 1989 | $19.68 | $17.90 | −$1.78 |
| Sep 13, 1989 | $19.87 | $18.05 | −$1.82 |
| Sep 14, 1989 | $19.73 | $17.90 | −$1.83 |
| Sep 15, 1989 | $19.96 | $17.88 | −$2.08 |
| Sep 18, 1989 | $19.87 | $18.05 | −$1.82 |
| Sep 19, 1989 | $19.68 | $17.90 | −$1.78 |
| Sep 20, 1989 | $19.68 | $17.80 | −$1.88 |
| Sep 21, 1989 | $19.69 | $17.85 | −$1.84 |
| Sep 22, 1989 | $19.21 | $17.53 | −$1.68 |
| Sep 25, 1989 | $19.49 | $17.45 | −$2.04 |
| Sep 26, 1989 | $19.62 | $17.45 | −$2.17 |
| Sep 27, 1989 | $19.61 | $17.55 | −$2.06 |
| Sep 28, 1989 | $19.99 | $17.93 | −$2.06 |
| Sep 29, 1989 | $20.15 | $18.23 | −$1.92 |
| Oct 2, 1989 | $19.99 | $18.58 | −$1.41 |
| Oct 3, 1989 | $20.15 | $18.73 | −$1.42 |
| Oct 4, 1989 | $20.17 | $18.78 | −$1.39 |
| Oct 5, 1989 | $19.95 | $18.43 | −$1.52 |
| Oct 6, 1989 | $19.89 | $18.45 | −$1.44 |
| Oct 9, 1989 | $20.04 | $18.25 | −$1.79 |
| Oct 10, 1989 | $20.21 | $18.55 | −$1.66 |
| Oct 11, 1989 | $20.18 | $18.85 | −$1.33 |
| Oct 12, 1989 | $20.49 | $19.23 | −$1.26 |
| Oct 13, 1989 | $20.91 | $19.60 | −$1.31 |
| Oct 16, 1989 | $20.64 | $19.38 | −$1.26 |
| Oct 17, 1989 | $20.68 | $19.53 | −$1.15 |
| Oct 18, 1989 | $20.58 | $19.43 | −$1.15 |
| Oct 19, 1989 | $20.37 | $19.33 | −$1.04 |
| Oct 20, 1989 | $20.04 | $19.20 | −$0.84 |
| Oct 23, 1989 | $19.67 | $18.88 | −$0.79 |
| Oct 24, 1989 | $19.70 | $18.80 | −$0.90 |
| Oct 25, 1989 | $19.60 | $18.88 | −$0.72 |
| Oct 26, 1989 | $19.48 | $18.48 | −$1.00 |
| Oct 27, 1989 | $19.79 | $18.70 | −$1.09 |
| Oct 30, 1989 | $19.74 | $18.98 | −$0.76 |
| Oct 31, 1989 | $19.88 | $18.93 | −$0.95 |
| Nov 1, 1989 | $20.09 | $19.23 | −$0.86 |
| Nov 2, 1989 | $20.01 | $19.20 | −$0.81 |
| Nov 3, 1989 | $20.23 | $19.00 | −$1.23 |
| Nov 6, 1989 | $20.06 | $18.95 | −$1.11 |
| Nov 7, 1989 | $19.97 | $18.90 | −$1.07 |
| Nov 8, 1989 | $19.97 | $18.90 | −$1.07 |
| Nov 9, 1989 | $19.62 | $18.85 | −$0.77 |
| Nov 10, 1989 | $19.84 | $19.05 | −$0.79 |
| Nov 13, 1989 | $19.62 | $18.85 | −$0.77 |
| Nov 14, 1989 | $19.58 | $18.70 | −$0.88 |
| Nov 15, 1989 | $19.69 | $18.65 | −$1.04 |
| Nov 16, 1989 | $19.88 | $18.65 | −$1.23 |
| Nov 17, 1989 | $19.93 | $18.75 | −$1.18 |
| Nov 20, 1989 | $20.13 | $18.80 | −$1.33 |
| Nov 21, 1989 | $20.52 | $18.68 | −$1.84 |
| Nov 22, 1989 | $19.80 | $18.60 | −$1.20 |
| Nov 23, 1989 | $19.80 | $18.40 | −$1.40 |
| Nov 24, 1989 | $19.84 | $18.48 | −$1.36 |
| Nov 27, 1989 | $19.65 | $18.50 | −$1.15 |
| Nov 28, 1989 | $19.33 | $18.23 | −$1.10 |
| Nov 29, 1989 | $19.40 | $18.15 | −$1.25 |
| Nov 30, 1989 | $19.87 | $18.48 | −$1.39 |
| Dec 1, 1989 | $20.26 | $18.68 | −$1.58 |
| Dec 4, 1989 | $20.24 | $19.28 | −$0.96 |
| Dec 5, 1989 | $20.22 | $19.18 | −$1.04 |
| Dec 6, 1989 | $20.46 | $19.28 | −$1.18 |
| Dec 7, 1989 | $20.45 | $19.33 | −$1.12 |
| Dec 8, 1989 | $20.41 | $19.15 | −$1.26 |
| Dec 11, 1989 | $20.69 | $19.45 | −$1.24 |
| Dec 12, 1989 | $20.80 | $19.53 | −$1.27 |
| Dec 13, 1989 | $20.75 | $19.78 | −$0.97 |
| Dec 14, 1989 | $20.67 | $19.68 | −$0.99 |
| Dec 15, 1989 | $21.13 | $19.68 | −$1.45 |
| Dec 18, 1989 | $22.20 | $19.98 | −$2.22 |
| Dec 19, 1989 | $22.17 | $20.28 | −$1.89 |
| Dec 20, 1989 | $21.58 | $20.23 | −$1.35 |
| Dec 21, 1989 | $21.53 | $20.13 | −$1.40 |
| Dec 22, 1989 | $21.31 | $20.50 | −$0.81 |
| Dec 26, 1989 | $21.91 | — | — |
| Dec 27, 1989 | $21.78 | $20.90 | −$0.88 |
| Dec 28, 1989 | $21.60 | $20.85 | −$0.75 |
| Dec 29, 1989 | $21.84 | $21.05 | −$0.79 |
“—” means EIA published no price for that benchmark on that date.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB | $/bbl | Jan 3, 1989 – Dec 29, 1989 | Dec 29, 1989 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB | $/bbl | Jan 3, 1989 – Dec 29, 1989 | Dec 29, 1989 |
| U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | CUUR0000SA0 — CPI-U, all items, NSA | index, 1982–84=100 | monthly and annual average | September 2026 |
Inflation adjustment: real = nominal × CPI-U(September 2026) ÷ CPI-U(period). Annual figures use the BLS annual average CPI-U; a year without one uses the mean of the months published so far.
Last updated: Oct 21, 2026, 5:27 PM CDT. Raw values are shown in source units; any conversion is labeled. See methodology and data sources.
Download:1989 daily prices (CSV)