Oil Prices in August 1990: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI's monthly average rose to $27.31 in August 1990, up $8.86 (48.0%) from July 1990, the highest monthly average in nominal terms since EIA's records began in 1986. The average was 47% above the $18.58 of August 1989.
Daily spot prices, August 1990
Chart data table (23 rows; WTI on 23, Brent on 23)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 31, 1990 | $27.45 | $27.80 |
| Aug 30, 1990 | $26.96 | $27.50 |
| Aug 29, 1990 | $26.15 | $27.65 |
| Aug 28, 1990 | $27.73 | $27.65 |
| Aug 27, 1990 | $27.36 | $27.65 |
| Aug 24, 1990 | $31.10 | $31.65 |
| Aug 23, 1990 | $31.67 | $32.35 |
| Aug 22, 1990 | $30.52 | $30.45 |
| Aug 21, 1990 | $28.46 | $29.05 |
| Aug 20, 1990 | $28.63 | $28.90 |
| Aug 17, 1990 | $28.65 | $28.45 |
| Aug 16, 1990 | $27.40 | $27.20 |
| Aug 15, 1990 | $26.54 | $26.53 |
| Aug 14, 1990 | $26.70 | $27.10 |
| Aug 13, 1990 | $27.07 | $26.63 |
| Aug 10, 1990 | $26.38 | $26.30 |
| Aug 9, 1990 | $25.69 | $25.90 |
| Aug 8, 1990 | $26.19 | $25.15 |
| Aug 7, 1990 | $29.60 | $27.35 |
| Aug 6, 1990 | $28.73 | $27.28 |
| Aug 3, 1990 | $23.79 | $24.13 |
| Aug 2, 1990 | $23.71 | $22.25 |
| Aug 1, 1990 | $21.59 | $19.93 |
The month's range ran from $21.59 on Aug 1, 1990 to $31.67 on Aug 23, 1990; the last price was $27.45 on Aug 31, 1990. The largest one-day move was +$4.94 on Aug 6, 1990 (+20.8%).
Brent averaged $27.17, within a dollar of WTI on average across the 23 dates when both were published.
Among the 41 August averages EIA has published, 1990's ranks 14th lowest. Within 1990 it ranks 4th highest of the 12 monthly averages. WTI moved 5% or more from the previous published price on 6 days. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $70.04 and the high of $31.67 equals $81.22.
August 1990 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $27.31 | $27.17 |
| Change vs July 1990 | +$8.86 | +$10.00 |
| Change vs August 1989 | +$8.73 | +$10.40 |
| Highest daily price | $31.67 Aug 23, 1990 | $32.35 Aug 23, 1990 |
| Lowest daily price | $21.59 Aug 1, 1990 | $19.93 Aug 1, 1990 |
| Published daily observations | 23 | 23 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $70.04 | $69.68 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for August 1990.
August in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs August 1990 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $83.90 | +207.2% | $84.53 |
| 2025 | $64.86 | +137.5% | $67.57 |
| 2024 | $76.68 | +180.8% | $82.21 |
| 2023 | $81.39 | +198.0% | $89.47 |
| 2022 | $93.67 | +243.0% | $106.74 |
| 2021 | $67.70 | +147.9% | $83.52 |
| 2020 | $42.34 | +55.0% | $54.98 |
| 2019 | $54.81 | +100.7% | $72.10 |
| 2018 | $68.06 | +149.2% | $91.10 |
| 2017 | $48.04 | +75.9% | $66.04 |
| 2016 | $44.72 | +63.7% | $62.67 |
| 2015 | $42.87 | +57.0% | $60.71 |
| 2014 | $96.54 | +253.5% | $136.99 |
| 2013 | $106.57 | +290.2% | $153.79 |
| 2012 | $94.13 | +244.7% | $137.90 |
| 2011 | $86.33 | +216.1% | $128.62 |
| 2010 | $76.60 | +180.5% | $118.42 |
| 2009 | $71.05 | +160.2% | $111.10 |
| 2008 | $116.67 | +327.2% | $179.73 |
| 2007 | $72.36 | +165.0% | $117.46 |
| 2006 | $73.04 | +167.4% | $120.90 |
| 2005 | $64.99 | +138.0% | $111.68 |
| 2004 | $44.90 | +64.4% | $79.97 |
| 2003 | $31.57 | +15.6% | $57.72 |
| 2002 | $28.39 | +4.0% | $53.03 |
| 2001 | $27.37 | +0.2% | $52.04 |
| 2000 | $31.26 | +14.5% | $61.06 |
| 1999 | $21.28 | −22.1% | $42.98 |
| 1998 | $13.47 | −50.7% | $27.82 |
| 1997 | $19.95 | −26.9% | $41.87 |
| 1996 | $21.90 | −19.8% | $46.99 |
| 1995 | $18.02 | −34.0% | $39.78 |
| 1994 | $18.38 | −32.7% | $41.63 |
| 1993 | $18.01 | −34.1% | $41.98 |
| 1992 | $21.34 | −21.9% | $51.12 |
| 1991 | $21.69 | −20.6% | $53.59 |
| 1990 | $27.31 | — | $70.04 |
| 1989 | $18.58 | −32.0% | $50.33 |
| 1988 | $15.52 | −43.2% | $44.02 |
| 1987 | $20.31 | −25.6% | $59.92 |
| 1986 | $15.10 | −44.7% | $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 1990.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Aug 1, 1990 – Aug 31, 1990 | Aug 31, 1990 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Aug 1, 1990 – Aug 31, 1990 | Aug 31, 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)