Oil Prices in October 1989: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $20.10 per barrel in October 1989, up $0.51 (2.6%) from September 1989. The average was 46% above the $13.77 of October 1988.
Daily spot prices, October 1989
Chart data table (22 rows; WTI on 22, Brent on 22)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 1989 | $19.88 | $18.93 |
| Oct 30, 1989 | $19.74 | $18.98 |
| Oct 27, 1989 | $19.79 | $18.70 |
| Oct 26, 1989 | $19.48 | $18.48 |
| Oct 25, 1989 | $19.60 | $18.88 |
| Oct 24, 1989 | $19.70 | $18.80 |
| Oct 23, 1989 | $19.67 | $18.88 |
| Oct 20, 1989 | $20.04 | $19.20 |
| Oct 19, 1989 | $20.37 | $19.33 |
| Oct 18, 1989 | $20.58 | $19.43 |
| Oct 17, 1989 | $20.68 | $19.53 |
| Oct 16, 1989 | $20.64 | $19.38 |
| Oct 13, 1989 | $20.91 | $19.60 |
| Oct 12, 1989 | $20.49 | $19.23 |
| Oct 11, 1989 | $20.18 | $18.85 |
| Oct 10, 1989 | $20.21 | $18.55 |
| Oct 9, 1989 | $20.04 | $18.25 |
| Oct 6, 1989 | $19.89 | $18.45 |
| Oct 5, 1989 | $19.95 | $18.43 |
| Oct 4, 1989 | $20.17 | $18.78 |
| Oct 3, 1989 | $20.15 | $18.73 |
| Oct 2, 1989 | $19.99 | $18.58 |
Prices peaked at $20.91 on Oct 13, 1989, then fell to $19.48 on Oct 26, 1989 and ended at $19.88.
Brent averaged $18.91, on matched dates $1.19 below WTI on average across 22 dates.
Among the 41 October averages EIA has published, 1989's ranks 8th lowest. Within 1989 it ranks 4th highest of the 12 monthly averages. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $54.01 and the high of $20.91 equals $56.19.
October 1989 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $20.10 | $18.91 |
| Change vs September 1989 | +$0.51 | +$1.14 |
| Change vs October 1988 | +$6.33 | +$6.50 |
| Highest daily price | $20.91 Oct 13, 1989 | $19.60 Oct 13, 1989 |
| Lowest daily price | $19.48 Oct 26, 1989 | $18.25 Oct 9, 1989 |
| Published daily observations | 22 | 22 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $54.01 | $50.81 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for October 1989.
October in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs October 1989 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $102.07 | +407.8% | $102.07 |
| 2025 | $60.89 | +202.9% | — |
| 2024 | $71.99 | +258.2% | $76.97 |
| 2023 | $85.64 | +326.1% | $93.95 |
| 2022 | $87.55 | +335.6% | $99.15 |
| 2021 | $81.48 | +305.4% | $99.43 |
| 2020 | $39.40 | +96.0% | $51.07 |
| 2019 | $53.96 | +168.5% | $70.77 |
| 2018 | $70.75 | +252.0% | $94.43 |
| 2017 | $51.58 | +156.6% | $70.58 |
| 2016 | $49.78 | +147.7% | $69.50 |
| 2015 | $46.22 | +130.0% | $65.59 |
| 2014 | $84.40 | +319.9% | $119.97 |
| 2013 | $100.54 | +400.2% | $145.30 |
| 2012 | $89.49 | +345.2% | $130.57 |
| 2011 | $86.32 | +329.5% | $128.67 |
| 2010 | $81.89 | +307.4% | $126.37 |
| 2009 | $75.72 | +276.7% | $118.22 |
| 2008 | $76.61 | +281.1% | $119.39 |
| 2007 | $85.80 | +326.9% | $138.60 |
| 2006 | $58.89 | +193.0% | $98.49 |
| 2005 | $62.26 | +209.8% | $105.49 |
| 2004 | $53.28 | +165.1% | $94.20 |
| 2003 | $30.34 | +50.9% | $55.35 |
| 2002 | $28.84 | +43.5% | $53.69 |
| 2001 | $22.17 | +10.3% | $42.11 |
| 2000 | $33.11 | +64.7% | $64.22 |
| 1999 | $22.69 | +12.9% | $45.53 |
| 1998 | $14.46 | −28.1% | $29.76 |
| 1997 | $21.33 | +6.1% | $44.55 |
| 1996 | $24.88 | +23.8% | $53.05 |
| 1995 | $17.43 | −13.3% | $38.27 |
| 1994 | $17.72 | −11.8% | $40.00 |
| 1993 | $18.15 | −9.7% | $42.04 |
| 1992 | $21.69 | +7.9% | $51.63 |
| 1991 | $23.23 | +15.6% | $57.06 |
| 1990 | $36.04 | +79.3% | $91.12 |
| 1989 | $20.10 | — | $54.01 |
| 1988 | $13.77 | −31.5% | $38.66 |
| 1987 | $19.86 | −1.2% | $58.14 |
| 1986 | $14.90 | −25.9% | $45.59 |
“—” 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 October 1989.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Oct 2, 1989 – Oct 31, 1989 | Oct 31, 1989 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Oct 2, 1989 – Oct 31, 1989 | Oct 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)