Oil Prices in April 1990: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
At $18.43 per barrel, April 1990's WTI average was the lowest monthly average in nominal terms since February 1989, down $1.96 (9.6%) from March 1990. A year earlier, in April 1989, it averaged $21.07, so the price was lower by $2.64 (12.5%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, April 1990
Chart data table (20 rows; WTI on 20, Brent on 19)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 30, 1990 | $18.50 | $16.35 |
| Apr 27, 1990 | $18.57 | $16.43 |
| Apr 26, 1990 | $18.50 | $16.60 |
| Apr 25, 1990 | $17.49 | $16.50 |
| Apr 24, 1990 | $17.85 | $16.75 |
| Apr 23, 1990 | $18.60 | $16.95 |
| Apr 20, 1990 | $17.90 | $16.35 |
| Apr 19, 1990 | $17.93 | $16.13 |
| Apr 18, 1990 | $16.95 | $15.33 |
| Apr 17, 1990 | $17.37 | $15.70 |
| Apr 16, 1990 | $17.87 | — |
| Apr 12, 1990 | $17.76 | $15.80 |
| Apr 11, 1990 | $18.19 | $15.30 |
| Apr 10, 1990 | $17.56 | $15.93 |
| Apr 9, 1990 | $18.32 | $16.53 |
| Apr 6, 1990 | $19.15 | $17.10 |
| Apr 5, 1990 | $19.48 | $17.55 |
| Apr 4, 1990 | $19.78 | $17.95 |
| Apr 3, 1990 | $20.23 | $18.20 |
| Apr 2, 1990 | $20.51 | $18.18 |
The month's range ran from $16.95 on Apr 18, 1990 to $20.51 on Apr 2, 1990; the last price was $18.50 on Apr 30, 1990. The largest one-day move was +$1.01 on Apr 26, 1990 (+5.8%).
Brent averaged $16.61, on matched dates $1.84 below WTI on average across 19 dates.
Among the 41 April averages EIA has published, 1990's ranks 7th lowest. Within 1990 it ranks 3rd lowest of the 12 monthly averages. WTI moved 5% or more from the previous published price on 2 days. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $48.26 and the high of $20.51 equals $53.70.
April 1990 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $18.43 | $16.61 |
| Change vs March 1990 | −$1.96 | −$1.78 |
| Change vs April 1989 | −$2.64 | −$3.71 |
| Highest daily price | $20.51 Apr 2, 1990 | $18.20 Apr 3, 1990 |
| Lowest daily price | $16.95 Apr 18, 1990 | $15.30 Apr 11, 1990 |
| Published daily observations | 20 | 19 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $48.26 | $43.49 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for April 1990.
April in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs April 1990 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $100.32 | +444.3% | $101.67 |
| 2025 | $63.54 | +244.8% | $66.85 |
| 2024 | $85.35 | +363.1% | $91.87 |
| 2023 | $79.45 | +331.1% | $88.39 |
| 2022 | $101.78 | +452.3% | $118.82 |
| 2021 | $61.72 | +234.9% | $78.00 |
| 2020 | $16.55 | −10.2% | $21.79 |
| 2019 | $63.86 | +246.5% | $84.34 |
| 2018 | $66.25 | +259.5% | $89.25 |
| 2017 | $51.06 | +177.0% | $70.48 |
| 2016 | $40.75 | +121.1% | $57.48 |
| 2015 | $54.45 | +195.4% | $77.67 |
| 2014 | $102.07 | +453.8% | $145.31 |
| 2013 | $92.02 | +399.3% | $133.56 |
| 2012 | $103.32 | +460.6% | $151.56 |
| 2011 | $109.53 | +494.3% | $164.37 |
| 2010 | $84.29 | +357.4% | $130.49 |
| 2009 | $49.65 | +169.4% | $78.58 |
| 2008 | $112.58 | +510.9% | $176.88 |
| 2007 | $63.98 | +247.2% | $104.48 |
| 2006 | $69.44 | +276.8% | $116.31 |
| 2005 | $52.98 | +187.5% | $91.89 |
| 2004 | $36.75 | +99.4% | $65.98 |
| 2003 | $28.17 | +52.8% | $51.73 |
| 2002 | $26.18 | +42.1% | $49.14 |
| 2001 | $27.49 | +49.2% | $52.45 |
| 2000 | $25.72 | +39.6% | $50.68 |
| 1999 | $17.31 | −6.1% | $35.15 |
| 1998 | $15.35 | −16.7% | $31.88 |
| 1997 | $19.70 | +6.9% | $41.50 |
| 1996 | $23.50 | +27.5% | $50.75 |
| 1995 | $19.90 | +8.0% | $44.22 |
| 1994 | $16.42 | −10.9% | $37.60 |
| 1993 | $20.25 | +9.9% | $47.46 |
| 1992 | $20.23 | +9.8% | $48.95 |
| 1991 | $20.83 | +13.0% | $52.00 |
| 1990 | $18.43 | — | $48.26 |
| 1989 | $21.07 | +14.3% | $57.77 |
| 1988 | $17.86 | −3.1% | $51.48 |
| 1987 | $18.68 | +1.4% | $55.94 |
| 1986 | $12.84 | −30.3% | $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 1990.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Apr 2, 1990 – Apr 30, 1990 | Apr 30, 1990 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Apr 2, 1990 – Apr 30, 1990 | Apr 30, 1990 |
| 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:1990 daily prices (CSV)