Oil Prices in August 1989: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $18.58 per barrel in August 1989, down $1.20 (6.1%) from July 1989. A year earlier, in August 1988, it averaged $15.52, so the price was higher by $3.06 (19.7%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, August 1989
Chart data table (23 rows; WTI on 23, Brent on 23)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 31, 1989 | $18.83 | $17.20 |
| Aug 30, 1989 | $18.85 | $17.13 |
| Aug 29, 1989 | $18.59 | $17.10 |
| Aug 28, 1989 | $18.69 | $16.98 |
| Aug 25, 1989 | $18.53 | $16.95 |
| Aug 24, 1989 | $19.02 | $17.05 |
| Aug 23, 1989 | $19.15 | $17.08 |
| Aug 22, 1989 | $19.01 | $17.10 |
| Aug 21, 1989 | $19.10 | $16.90 |
| Aug 18, 1989 | $18.82 | $16.83 |
| Aug 17, 1989 | $18.67 | $16.95 |
| Aug 16, 1989 | $18.99 | $17.00 |
| Aug 15, 1989 | $18.78 | $17.00 |
| Aug 14, 1989 | $18.60 | $16.85 |
| Aug 11, 1989 | $18.46 | $17.00 |
| Aug 10, 1989 | $18.58 | $16.93 |
| Aug 9, 1989 | $18.23 | $16.45 |
| Aug 8, 1989 | $18.06 | $16.28 |
| Aug 7, 1989 | $17.91 | $16.05 |
| Aug 4, 1989 | $18.05 | $16.15 |
| Aug 3, 1989 | $18.18 | $16.40 |
| Aug 2, 1989 | $18.28 | $16.10 |
| Aug 1, 1989 | $17.91 | $16.23 |
Prices rose over the month, from $17.91 on Aug 1, 1989 to $18.83 on Aug 31, 1989.
Brent averaged $16.77, on matched dates $1.81 below WTI on average across 23 dates.
Among the 41 August averages EIA has published, 1989's ranks 7th lowest. Within 1989 it ranks 3rd lowest of the 12 monthly averages. The high was $19.15 on Aug 23, 1989 and the low $17.91 on Aug 1, 1989. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $50.33 and the high of $19.15 equals $51.87.
August 1989 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $18.58 | $16.77 |
| Change vs July 1989 | −$1.20 | −$0.85 |
| Change vs August 1988 | +$3.06 | +$1.88 |
| Highest daily price | $19.15 Aug 23, 1989 | $17.20 Aug 31, 1989 |
| Lowest daily price | $17.91 Aug 1, 1989 | $16.05 Aug 7, 1989 |
| Published daily observations | 23 | 23 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $50.33 | $45.43 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for August 1989.
August in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs August 1989 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $83.90 | +351.6% | $84.53 |
| 2025 | $64.86 | +249.1% | $67.57 |
| 2024 | $76.68 | +312.7% | $82.21 |
| 2023 | $81.39 | +338.1% | $89.47 |
| 2022 | $93.67 | +404.1% | $106.74 |
| 2021 | $67.70 | +264.4% | $83.52 |
| 2020 | $42.34 | +127.9% | $54.98 |
| 2019 | $54.81 | +195.0% | $72.10 |
| 2018 | $68.06 | +266.3% | $91.10 |
| 2017 | $48.04 | +158.6% | $66.04 |
| 2016 | $44.72 | +140.7% | $62.67 |
| 2015 | $42.87 | +130.7% | $60.71 |
| 2014 | $96.54 | +419.6% | $136.99 |
| 2013 | $106.57 | +473.6% | $153.79 |
| 2012 | $94.13 | +406.6% | $137.90 |
| 2011 | $86.33 | +364.6% | $128.62 |
| 2010 | $76.60 | +312.3% | $118.42 |
| 2009 | $71.05 | +282.4% | $111.10 |
| 2008 | $116.67 | +527.9% | $179.73 |
| 2007 | $72.36 | +289.5% | $117.46 |
| 2006 | $73.04 | +293.1% | $120.90 |
| 2005 | $64.99 | +249.8% | $111.68 |
| 2004 | $44.90 | +141.7% | $79.97 |
| 2003 | $31.57 | +69.9% | $57.72 |
| 2002 | $28.39 | +52.8% | $53.03 |
| 2001 | $27.37 | +47.3% | $52.04 |
| 2000 | $31.26 | +68.2% | $61.06 |
| 1999 | $21.28 | +14.5% | $42.98 |
| 1998 | $13.47 | −27.5% | $27.82 |
| 1997 | $19.95 | +7.4% | $41.87 |
| 1996 | $21.90 | +17.9% | $46.99 |
| 1995 | $18.02 | −3.0% | $39.78 |
| 1994 | $18.38 | −1.1% | $41.63 |
| 1993 | $18.01 | −3.1% | $41.98 |
| 1992 | $21.34 | +14.9% | $51.12 |
| 1991 | $21.69 | +16.7% | $53.59 |
| 1990 | $27.31 | +47.0% | $70.04 |
| 1989 | $18.58 | — | $50.33 |
| 1988 | $15.52 | −16.5% | $44.02 |
| 1987 | $20.31 | +9.3% | $59.92 |
| 1986 | $15.10 | −18.7% | $46.46 |
“—” 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 August 1989.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Aug 1, 1989 – Aug 31, 1989 | Aug 31, 1989 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Aug 1, 1989 – Aug 31, 1989 | Aug 31, 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)