Oil Prices in September 1989: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $19.59 per barrel in September 1989, up $1.01 (5.4%) from August 1989. The average was 35% above the $14.54 of September 1988.
Daily spot prices, September 1989
Chart data table (21 rows; WTI on 21, Brent on 21)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 29, 1989 | $20.15 | $18.23 |
| Sep 28, 1989 | $19.99 | $17.93 |
| Sep 27, 1989 | $19.61 | $17.55 |
| Sep 26, 1989 | $19.62 | $17.45 |
| Sep 25, 1989 | $19.49 | $17.45 |
| Sep 22, 1989 | $19.21 | $17.53 |
| Sep 21, 1989 | $19.69 | $17.85 |
| Sep 20, 1989 | $19.68 | $17.80 |
| Sep 19, 1989 | $19.68 | $17.90 |
| Sep 18, 1989 | $19.87 | $18.05 |
| Sep 15, 1989 | $19.96 | $17.88 |
| Sep 14, 1989 | $19.73 | $17.90 |
| Sep 13, 1989 | $19.87 | $18.05 |
| Sep 12, 1989 | $19.68 | $17.90 |
| Sep 11, 1989 | $19.77 | $17.98 |
| Sep 8, 1989 | $19.77 | $17.83 |
| Sep 7, 1989 | $19.40 | $17.80 |
| Sep 6, 1989 | $19.41 | $17.80 |
| Sep 5, 1989 | $19.08 | $17.45 |
| Sep 4, 1989 | $18.88 | $17.43 |
| Sep 1, 1989 | $18.88 | $17.33 |
Prices rose over the month, from $18.88 on Sep 1, 1989 to $20.15 on Sep 29, 1989, with gains on 11 of 18 trading days.
Brent averaged $17.77, on matched dates $1.83 below WTI on average across 21 dates.
Among the 41 September averages EIA has published, 1989's ranks 8th lowest. Within 1989 it ranks 5th lowest of the 12 monthly averages. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $52.89 and the high of $20.15 equals $54.41.
September 1989 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $19.59 | $17.77 |
| Change vs August 1989 | +$1.01 | +$1.00 |
| Change vs September 1988 | +$5.05 | +$4.59 |
| Highest daily price | $20.15 Sep 29, 1989 | $18.23 Sep 29, 1989 |
| Lowest daily price | $18.88 Sep 1, 1989 | $17.33 Sep 1, 1989 |
| Published daily observations | 21 | 21 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $52.89 | $47.98 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for September 1989.
September in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs September 1989 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $97.31 | +396.7% | $97.47 |
| 2025 | $63.96 | +226.5% | $66.46 |
| 2024 | $70.24 | +258.6% | $75.19 |
| 2023 | $89.43 | +356.5% | $98.07 |
| 2022 | $84.26 | +330.1% | $95.82 |
| 2021 | $71.65 | +265.7% | $88.16 |
| 2020 | $39.63 | +102.3% | $51.39 |
| 2019 | $56.95 | +190.7% | $74.86 |
| 2018 | $70.23 | +258.5% | $93.90 |
| 2017 | $49.82 | +154.3% | $68.13 |
| 2016 | $45.18 | +130.6% | $63.16 |
| 2015 | $45.48 | +132.2% | $64.51 |
| 2014 | $93.21 | +375.8% | $132.17 |
| 2013 | $106.29 | +442.6% | $153.21 |
| 2012 | $94.51 | +382.4% | $137.84 |
| 2011 | $85.52 | +336.5% | $127.22 |
| 2010 | $75.24 | +284.1% | $116.25 |
| 2009 | $69.41 | +254.3% | $108.47 |
| 2008 | $104.11 | +431.4% | $160.61 |
| 2007 | $79.92 | +308.0% | $129.38 |
| 2006 | $63.80 | +225.7% | $106.13 |
| 2005 | $65.59 | +234.8% | $111.35 |
| 2004 | $45.94 | +134.5% | $81.65 |
| 2003 | $28.31 | +44.5% | $51.59 |
| 2002 | $29.66 | +51.4% | $55.31 |
| 2001 | $26.20 | +33.7% | $49.59 |
| 2000 | $33.88 | +72.9% | $65.83 |
| 1999 | $23.80 | +21.5% | $47.84 |
| 1998 | $15.03 | −23.3% | $31.01 |
| 1997 | $19.80 | +1.1% | $41.46 |
| 1996 | $23.97 | +22.4% | $51.27 |
| 1995 | $18.23 | −6.9% | $40.16 |
| 1994 | $17.45 | −10.9% | $39.42 |
| 1993 | $17.50 | −10.7% | $40.71 |
| 1992 | $21.88 | +11.7% | $52.26 |
| 1991 | $21.89 | +11.7% | $53.85 |
| 1990 | $33.51 | +71.1% | $85.23 |
| 1989 | $19.59 | — | $52.89 |
| 1988 | $14.54 | −25.8% | $40.96 |
| 1987 | $19.53 | −0.3% | $57.32 |
| 1986 | $14.87 | −24.1% | $45.54 |
“—” 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 September 1989.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Sep 1, 1989 – Sep 29, 1989 | Sep 29, 1989 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Sep 1, 1989 – Sep 29, 1989 | Sep 29, 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)