Oil Prices in February 1990: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $22.11 per barrel in February 1990, down $0.75 (3.3%) from January 1990. A year earlier, in February 1989, it averaged $17.94, so the price was higher by $4.17 (23.2%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, February 1990
Chart data table (20 rows; WTI on 20, Brent on 20)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 28, 1990 | $21.55 | $19.20 |
| Feb 27, 1990 | $21.62 | $19.23 |
| Feb 26, 1990 | $21.81 | $18.90 |
| Feb 23, 1990 | $21.13 | $18.78 |
| Feb 22, 1990 | $21.40 | $19.35 |
| Feb 21, 1990 | $21.87 | $19.50 |
| Feb 20, 1990 | $22.20 | $19.68 |
| Feb 19, 1990 | $22.46 | $19.95 |
| Feb 16, 1990 | $22.46 | $19.88 |
| Feb 15, 1990 | $22.86 | $19.90 |
| Feb 14, 1990 | $22.12 | $19.60 |
| Feb 13, 1990 | $21.88 | $20.03 |
| Feb 12, 1990 | $22.02 | $19.68 |
| Feb 9, 1990 | $21.82 | $19.75 |
| Feb 8, 1990 | $22.11 | $20.05 |
| Feb 7, 1990 | $22.40 | $20.15 |
| Feb 6, 1990 | $22.36 | $20.60 |
| Feb 5, 1990 | $22.44 | $20.73 |
| Feb 2, 1990 | $23.04 | $20.73 |
| Feb 1, 1990 | $22.71 | $20.58 |
Prices fell over the month, from $22.71 on Feb 1, 1990 to $21.55 on Feb 28, 1990, with declines on 12 of 19 trading days.
Brent averaged $19.81, on matched dates $2.30 below WTI on average across 20 dates.
Among the 41 February averages EIA has published, 1990's ranks 14th lowest. Within 1990 it ranks 6th lowest of the 12 monthly averages. The high was $23.04 on Feb 2, 1990 and the low $21.13 on Feb 23, 1990. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $58.30 and the high of $23.04 equals $60.75.
February 1990 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $22.11 | $19.81 |
| Change vs January 1990 | −$0.75 | −$1.44 |
| Change vs February 1989 | +$4.17 | +$2.92 |
| Highest daily price | $23.04 Feb 2, 1990 | $20.73 Feb 2, 1990 |
| Lowest daily price | $21.13 Feb 23, 1990 | $18.78 Feb 23, 1990 |
| Published daily observations | 20 | 20 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $58.30 | $52.24 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for February 1990.
February in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs February 1990 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $64.51 | +191.8% | $66.63 |
| 2025 | $71.53 | +223.5% | $75.66 |
| 2024 | $77.25 | +249.4% | $84.02 |
| 2023 | $76.83 | +247.5% | $86.20 |
| 2022 | $91.64 | +314.5% | $109.02 |
| 2021 | $59.04 | +167.0% | $75.76 |
| 2020 | $50.54 | +128.6% | $65.94 |
| 2019 | $54.95 | +148.5% | $73.37 |
| 2018 | $62.23 | +181.5% | $84.35 |
| 2017 | $53.47 | +141.8% | $74.08 |
| 2016 | $30.32 | +37.1% | $43.16 |
| 2015 | $50.58 | +128.8% | $72.73 |
| 2014 | $100.82 | +356.0% | $144.93 |
| 2013 | $95.31 | +331.1% | $138.56 |
| 2012 | $102.20 | +362.2% | $151.51 |
| 2011 | $88.58 | +300.6% | $135.09 |
| 2010 | $76.39 | +245.5% | $118.96 |
| 2009 | $39.09 | +76.8% | $62.18 |
| 2008 | $95.39 | +331.4% | $152.08 |
| 2007 | $59.28 | +168.1% | $98.32 |
| 2006 | $61.63 | +178.7% | $104.68 |
| 2005 | $48.15 | +117.8% | $84.73 |
| 2004 | $34.69 | +56.9% | $62.88 |
| 2003 | $35.83 | +62.1% | $66.05 |
| 2002 | $20.72 | −6.3% | $39.33 |
| 2001 | $29.61 | +33.9% | $56.85 |
| 2000 | $29.37 | +32.8% | $58.38 |
| 1999 | $12.01 | −45.7% | $24.64 |
| 1998 | $16.06 | −27.4% | $33.48 |
| 1997 | $22.18 | +0.3% | $46.90 |
| 1996 | $19.09 | −13.7% | $41.60 |
| 1995 | $18.57 | −16.0% | $41.53 |
| 1994 | $14.78 | −33.2% | $34.00 |
| 1993 | $20.09 | −9.1% | $47.38 |
| 1992 | $19.01 | −14.0% | $46.29 |
| 1991 | $20.48 | −7.4% | $51.28 |
| 1990 | $22.11 | — | $58.30 |
| 1989 | $17.94 | −18.9% | $49.79 |
| 1988 | $16.80 | −24.0% | $48.88 |
| 1987 | $17.75 | −19.7% | $53.68 |
| 1986 | $15.46 | −30.1% | $47.74 |
“—” 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 February 1990.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Feb 1, 1990 – Feb 28, 1990 | Feb 28, 1990 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Feb 1, 1990 – Feb 28, 1990 | Feb 28, 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)