Oil Prices in April 1989: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
At $21.07 per barrel, April 1989's WTI average was the highest monthly average in nominal terms since July 1987, up $1.59 (8.2%) from March 1989. A year earlier, in April 1988, it averaged $17.86, so the price was higher by $3.21 (18.0%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, April 1989
Chart data table (20 rows; WTI on 20, Brent on 20)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 28, 1989 | $20.38 | $20.15 |
| Apr 27, 1989 | $20.83 | $20.65 |
| Apr 26, 1989 | $21.20 | $21.05 |
| Apr 25, 1989 | $21.32 | $21.15 |
| Apr 24, 1989 | $20.64 | $21.20 |
| Apr 21, 1989 | $23.38 | $21.60 |
| Apr 20, 1989 | $24.62 | $22.25 |
| Apr 19, 1989 | $22.66 | $21.50 |
| Apr 18, 1989 | $21.74 | $20.20 |
| Apr 17, 1989 | $21.23 | $19.88 |
| Apr 14, 1989 | $20.68 | $19.63 |
| Apr 13, 1989 | $20.26 | $19.95 |
| Apr 12, 1989 | $20.66 | $19.85 |
| Apr 11, 1989 | $20.56 | $19.95 |
| Apr 10, 1989 | $20.65 | $19.60 |
| Apr 7, 1989 | $20.03 | $19.40 |
| Apr 6, 1989 | $19.85 | $19.08 |
| Apr 5, 1989 | $20.07 | $19.75 |
| Apr 4, 1989 | $20.59 | $19.90 |
| Apr 3, 1989 | $20.03 | $19.65 |
Prices dipped to $19.85 on Apr 6, 1989, then climbed to $24.62 on Apr 20, 1989 and ended at $20.38. The largest one-day move was −$2.74 on Apr 24, 1989 (−11.7%).
Brent averaged $20.32, within a dollar of WTI on average across the 20 dates when both were published.
Among the 41 April averages EIA has published, 1989's ranks 14th lowest. Within 1989 it ranks 2nd highest of the 12 monthly averages. WTI moved 5% or more from the previous published price on 3 days. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $57.77 and the high of $24.62 equals $67.50.
April 1989 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $21.07 | $20.32 |
| Change vs March 1989 | +$1.59 | +$1.62 |
| Change vs April 1988 | +$3.21 | +$3.72 |
| Highest daily price | $24.62 Apr 20, 1989 | $22.25 Apr 20, 1989 |
| Lowest daily price | $19.85 Apr 6, 1989 | $19.08 Apr 6, 1989 |
| Published daily observations | 20 | 20 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $57.77 | $55.71 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for April 1989.
April in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs April 1989 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $100.32 | +376.1% | $101.67 |
| 2025 | $63.54 | +201.6% | $66.85 |
| 2024 | $85.35 | +305.1% | $91.87 |
| 2023 | $79.45 | +277.1% | $88.39 |
| 2022 | $101.78 | +383.1% | $118.82 |
| 2021 | $61.72 | +192.9% | $78.00 |
| 2020 | $16.55 | −21.5% | $21.79 |
| 2019 | $63.86 | +203.1% | $84.34 |
| 2018 | $66.25 | +214.4% | $89.25 |
| 2017 | $51.06 | +142.3% | $70.48 |
| 2016 | $40.75 | +93.4% | $57.48 |
| 2015 | $54.45 | +158.4% | $77.67 |
| 2014 | $102.07 | +384.4% | $145.31 |
| 2013 | $92.02 | +336.7% | $133.56 |
| 2012 | $103.32 | +390.4% | $151.56 |
| 2011 | $109.53 | +419.8% | $164.37 |
| 2010 | $84.29 | +300.0% | $130.49 |
| 2009 | $49.65 | +135.6% | $78.58 |
| 2008 | $112.58 | +434.3% | $176.88 |
| 2007 | $63.98 | +203.7% | $104.48 |
| 2006 | $69.44 | +229.6% | $116.31 |
| 2005 | $52.98 | +151.4% | $91.89 |
| 2004 | $36.75 | +74.4% | $65.98 |
| 2003 | $28.17 | +33.7% | $51.73 |
| 2002 | $26.18 | +24.3% | $49.14 |
| 2001 | $27.49 | +30.5% | $52.45 |
| 2000 | $25.72 | +22.1% | $50.68 |
| 1999 | $17.31 | −17.8% | $35.15 |
| 1998 | $15.35 | −27.1% | $31.88 |
| 1997 | $19.70 | −6.5% | $41.50 |
| 1996 | $23.50 | +11.5% | $50.75 |
| 1995 | $19.90 | −5.6% | $44.22 |
| 1994 | $16.42 | −22.1% | $37.60 |
| 1993 | $20.25 | −3.9% | $47.46 |
| 1992 | $20.23 | −4.0% | $48.95 |
| 1991 | $20.83 | −1.1% | $52.00 |
| 1990 | $18.43 | −12.5% | $48.26 |
| 1989 | $21.07 | — | $57.77 |
| 1988 | $17.86 | −15.2% | $51.48 |
| 1987 | $18.68 | −11.3% | $55.94 |
| 1986 | $12.84 | −39.1% | $39.90 |
“—” 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 April 1989.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Apr 3, 1989 – Apr 28, 1989 | Apr 28, 1989 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Apr 3, 1989 – Apr 28, 1989 | Apr 28, 1989 |
| 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:1989 daily prices (CSV)