Oil Prices in December 1990: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI's monthly average fell to $27.28 in December 1990, down $5.05 (15.6%) from November 1990. The average was 29% above the $21.10 of December 1989.
Daily spot prices, December 1990
Chart data table (20 rows; WTI on 20, Brent on 20)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 1990 | $28.48 | $28.35 |
| Dec 28, 1990 | $27.58 | $27.43 |
| Dec 27, 1990 | $26.95 | $27.05 |
| Dec 26, 1990 | $27.35 | $27.70 |
| Dec 24, 1990 | $26.95 | $27.70 |
| Dec 21, 1990 | $27.08 | $26.90 |
| Dec 20, 1990 | $27.50 | $27.55 |
| Dec 19, 1990 | $28.26 | $28.13 |
| Dec 18, 1990 | $27.85 | $27.55 |
| Dec 17, 1990 | $27.10 | $28.20 |
| Dec 14, 1990 | $26.60 | $28.45 |
| Dec 13, 1990 | $26.45 | $27.80 |
| Dec 12, 1990 | $25.30 | $27.28 |
| Dec 11, 1990 | $26.50 | $28.03 |
| Dec 10, 1990 | $27.08 | $28.75 |
| Dec 7, 1990 | $26.61 | $28.30 |
| Dec 6, 1990 | $26.35 | $27.35 |
| Dec 5, 1990 | $27.18 | $30.20 |
| Dec 4, 1990 | $29.05 | $31.50 |
| Dec 3, 1990 | $29.40 | $31.25 |
The month's range ran from $25.30 on Dec 12, 1990 to $29.40 on Dec 3, 1990; the last price was $28.48 on Dec 31, 1990. The largest one-day move was −$1.87 on Dec 5, 1990 (−6.4%).
Brent averaged $28.27, within a dollar of WTI on average across the 20 dates when both were published.
Among the 40 December averages EIA has published, 1990's ranks 15th lowest. Within 1990 it ranks 5th highest of the 12 monthly averages. WTI moved 5% or more from the previous published price on 1 day. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $68.81 and the high of $29.40 equals $74.16.
December 1990 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $27.28 | $28.27 |
| Change vs November 1990 | −$5.05 | −$4.80 |
| Change vs December 1989 | +$6.18 | +$8.43 |
| Highest daily price | $29.40 Dec 3, 1990 | $31.50 Dec 4, 1990 |
| Lowest daily price | $25.30 Dec 12, 1990 | $26.90 Dec 21, 1990 |
| Published daily observations | 20 | 20 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $68.81 | $71.31 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for December 1990.
December in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs December 1990 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $57.97 | +112.5% | $60.38 |
| 2024 | $70.12 | +157.0% | $74.99 |
| 2023 | $71.90 | +163.6% | $79.11 |
| 2022 | $76.44 | +180.2% | $86.93 |
| 2021 | $71.71 | +162.9% | $86.81 |
| 2020 | $47.02 | +72.4% | $60.93 |
| 2019 | $59.88 | +119.5% | $78.65 |
| 2018 | $49.52 | +81.5% | $66.53 |
| 2017 | $57.88 | +112.2% | $79.24 |
| 2016 | $51.97 | +90.5% | $72.65 |
| 2015 | $37.19 | +36.3% | $53.07 |
| 2014 | $59.29 | +117.3% | $85.22 |
| 2013 | $97.63 | +257.9% | $141.39 |
| 2012 | $87.86 | +222.1% | $129.15 |
| 2011 | $98.56 | +261.3% | $147.40 |
| 2010 | $89.15 | +226.8% | $137.28 |
| 2009 | $74.47 | +173.0% | $116.39 |
| 2008 | $41.12 | +50.7% | $66.02 |
| 2007 | $91.69 | +236.1% | $147.34 |
| 2006 | $61.96 | +127.1% | $103.63 |
| 2005 | $59.41 | +117.8% | $101.89 |
| 2004 | $43.15 | +58.2% | $76.53 |
| 2003 | $32.13 | +17.8% | $58.84 |
| 2002 | $29.46 | +8.0% | $54.96 |
| 2001 | $19.39 | −28.9% | $37.04 |
| 2000 | $28.44 | +4.3% | $55.17 |
| 1999 | $26.10 | −4.3% | $52.34 |
| 1998 | $11.35 | −58.4% | $23.37 |
| 1997 | $18.33 | −32.8% | $38.35 |
| 1996 | $25.23 | −7.5% | $53.69 |
| 1995 | $19.03 | −30.2% | $41.84 |
| 1994 | $17.16 | −37.1% | $38.69 |
| 1993 | $14.52 | −46.8% | $33.61 |
| 1992 | $19.41 | −28.8% | $46.17 |
| 1991 | $19.50 | −28.5% | $47.73 |
| 1990 | $27.28 | — | $68.81 |
| 1989 | $21.10 | −22.7% | $56.47 |
| 1988 | $16.38 | −40.0% | $45.88 |
| 1987 | $17.28 | −36.7% | $50.54 |
| 1986 | $16.11 | −40.9% | $49.21 |
“—” 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 December 1990.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Dec 3, 1990 – Dec 31, 1990 | Dec 31, 1990 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Dec 3, 1990 – Dec 31, 1990 | Dec 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)