Oil Prices in February 1989: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $17.94 per barrel in February 1989, little changed from January 1989 ($18.02). A year earlier, in February 1988, it averaged $16.80, so the price was higher by $1.14 (6.8%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, February 1989
Chart data table (20 rows; WTI on 20, Brent on 20)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 28, 1989 | $18.21 | $17.23 |
| Feb 27, 1989 | $18.16 | $17.55 |
| Feb 24, 1989 | $18.06 | $17.05 |
| Feb 23, 1989 | $18.49 | $17.10 |
| Feb 22, 1989 | $18.50 | $16.95 |
| Feb 21, 1989 | $18.64 | $17.20 |
| Feb 20, 1989 | $18.60 | $17.38 |
| Feb 17, 1989 | $18.60 | $17.15 |
| Feb 16, 1989 | $18.35 | $17.15 |
| Feb 15, 1989 | $18.23 | $16.75 |
| Feb 14, 1989 | $17.60 | $16.83 |
| Feb 13, 1989 | $17.61 | $16.50 |
| Feb 10, 1989 | $17.11 | $16.40 |
| Feb 9, 1989 | $17.42 | $16.58 |
| Feb 8, 1989 | $17.49 | $16.75 |
| Feb 7, 1989 | $17.55 | $16.60 |
| Feb 6, 1989 | $17.38 | $16.50 |
| Feb 3, 1989 | $17.51 | $16.75 |
| Feb 2, 1989 | $17.72 | $16.95 |
| Feb 1, 1989 | $17.50 | $16.40 |
Prices dipped to $17.11 on Feb 10, 1989, then climbed to $18.64 on Feb 21, 1989 and ended at $18.21.
Brent averaged $16.89, on matched dates $1.05 below WTI on average across 20 dates.
Among the 41 February averages EIA has published, 1989's ranks 7th lowest. Within 1989 it ranks the lowest of the 12 monthly averages. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $49.79 and the high of $18.64 equals $51.74.
February 1989 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $17.94 | $16.89 |
| Change vs January 1989 | −$0.08 | −$0.28 |
| Change vs February 1988 | +$1.14 | +$1.16 |
| Highest daily price | $18.64 Feb 21, 1989 | $17.55 Feb 27, 1989 |
| Lowest daily price | $17.11 Feb 10, 1989 | $16.40 Feb 1, 1989 |
| Published daily observations | 20 | 20 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $49.79 | $46.88 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for February 1989.
February in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs February 1989 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $64.51 | +259.6% | $66.63 |
| 2025 | $71.53 | +298.7% | $75.66 |
| 2024 | $77.25 | +330.6% | $84.02 |
| 2023 | $76.83 | +328.3% | $86.20 |
| 2022 | $91.64 | +410.8% | $109.02 |
| 2021 | $59.04 | +229.1% | $75.76 |
| 2020 | $50.54 | +181.7% | $65.94 |
| 2019 | $54.95 | +206.3% | $73.37 |
| 2018 | $62.23 | +246.9% | $84.35 |
| 2017 | $53.47 | +198.0% | $74.08 |
| 2016 | $30.32 | +69.0% | $43.16 |
| 2015 | $50.58 | +181.9% | $72.73 |
| 2014 | $100.82 | +462.0% | $144.93 |
| 2013 | $95.31 | +431.3% | $138.56 |
| 2012 | $102.20 | +469.7% | $151.51 |
| 2011 | $88.58 | +393.8% | $135.09 |
| 2010 | $76.39 | +325.8% | $118.96 |
| 2009 | $39.09 | +117.9% | $62.18 |
| 2008 | $95.39 | +431.7% | $152.08 |
| 2007 | $59.28 | +230.4% | $98.32 |
| 2006 | $61.63 | +243.5% | $104.68 |
| 2005 | $48.15 | +168.4% | $84.73 |
| 2004 | $34.69 | +93.4% | $62.88 |
| 2003 | $35.83 | +99.7% | $66.05 |
| 2002 | $20.72 | +15.5% | $39.33 |
| 2001 | $29.61 | +65.1% | $56.85 |
| 2000 | $29.37 | +63.7% | $58.38 |
| 1999 | $12.01 | −33.1% | $24.64 |
| 1998 | $16.06 | −10.5% | $33.48 |
| 1997 | $22.18 | +23.6% | $46.90 |
| 1996 | $19.09 | +6.4% | $41.60 |
| 1995 | $18.57 | +3.5% | $41.53 |
| 1994 | $14.78 | −17.6% | $34.00 |
| 1993 | $20.09 | +12.0% | $47.38 |
| 1992 | $19.01 | +6.0% | $46.29 |
| 1991 | $20.48 | +14.2% | $51.28 |
| 1990 | $22.11 | +23.2% | $58.30 |
| 1989 | $17.94 | — | $49.79 |
| 1988 | $16.80 | −6.4% | $48.88 |
| 1987 | $17.75 | −1.1% | $53.68 |
| 1986 | $15.46 | −13.8% | $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 1989.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Feb 1, 1989 – Feb 28, 1989 | Feb 28, 1989 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Feb 1, 1989 – Feb 28, 1989 | Feb 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)