Oil Prices in January 1990: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
At $22.86 per barrel, January 1990's WTI average was the highest monthly average in nominal terms since January 1986, up $1.76 (8.3%) from December 1989. The average was 27% above the $18.02 of January 1989.
Daily spot prices, January 1990
Chart data table (22 rows; WTI on 22, Brent on 22)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 31, 1990 | $22.69 | $20.50 |
| Jan 30, 1990 | $22.29 | $20.73 |
| Jan 29, 1990 | $22.79 | $20.73 |
| Jan 26, 1990 | $22.56 | $20.63 |
| Jan 25, 1990 | $24.48 | $20.55 |
| Jan 24, 1990 | $23.43 | $20.18 |
| Jan 23, 1990 | $22.34 | $20.23 |
| Jan 22, 1990 | $22.57 | $20.88 |
| Jan 19, 1990 | $23.70 | $21.28 |
| Jan 18, 1990 | $22.78 | $20.78 |
| Jan 17, 1990 | $22.11 | $20.45 |
| Jan 16, 1990 | $22.61 | $21.15 |
| Jan 15, 1990 | $22.36 | $21.60 |
| Jan 12, 1990 | $23.17 | $22.13 |
| Jan 11, 1990 | $23.15 | $21.88 |
| Jan 10, 1990 | $22.90 | $21.95 |
| Jan 9, 1990 | $22.25 | $21.03 |
| Jan 8, 1990 | $21.64 | $21.38 |
| Jan 5, 1990 | $23.07 | $23.13 |
| Jan 4, 1990 | $23.41 | $22.50 |
| Jan 3, 1990 | $23.81 | $22.65 |
| Jan 2, 1990 | $22.88 | $21.20 |
Prices dipped to $21.64 on Jan 8, 1990, then climbed to $24.48 on Jan 25, 1990 and ended at $22.69. The largest one-day move was −$1.92 on Jan 26, 1990 (−7.8%).
Brent averaged $21.25, on matched dates $1.61 below WTI on average across 22 dates.
Among the 41 January averages EIA has published, 1990's ranks 12th lowest. Within 1990 it ranks 6th highest 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 $60.56 and the high of $24.48 equals $64.85.
January 1990 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $22.86 | $21.25 |
| Change vs December 1989 | +$1.76 | +$1.41 |
| Change vs January 1989 | +$4.84 | +$4.08 |
| Highest daily price | $24.48 Jan 25, 1990 | $23.13 Jan 5, 1990 |
| Lowest daily price | $21.64 Jan 8, 1990 | $20.18 Jan 24, 1990 |
| Published daily observations | 22 | 22 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $60.56 | $56.30 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for January 1990.
January in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs January 1990 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $60.04 | +162.6% | $62.30 |
| 2025 | $75.74 | +231.3% | $80.47 |
| 2024 | $74.15 | +224.4% | $81.14 |
| 2023 | $78.12 | +241.7% | $88.13 |
| 2022 | $83.22 | +264.0% | $99.90 |
| 2021 | $52.00 | +127.5% | $67.09 |
| 2020 | $57.52 | +151.6% | $75.26 |
| 2019 | $51.38 | +124.8% | $68.89 |
| 2018 | $63.70 | +178.7% | $86.74 |
| 2017 | $52.50 | +129.7% | $72.97 |
| 2016 | $31.68 | +38.6% | $45.13 |
| 2015 | $47.22 | +106.6% | $68.19 |
| 2014 | $94.62 | +313.9% | $136.52 |
| 2013 | $94.76 | +314.5% | $138.89 |
| 2012 | $100.27 | +338.6% | $149.31 |
| 2011 | $89.17 | +290.1% | $136.66 |
| 2010 | $78.33 | +242.7% | $122.01 |
| 2009 | $41.71 | +82.5% | $66.67 |
| 2008 | $92.97 | +306.7% | $148.66 |
| 2007 | $54.51 | +138.5% | $90.89 |
| 2006 | $65.49 | +186.5% | $111.47 |
| 2005 | $46.84 | +104.9% | $82.90 |
| 2004 | $34.31 | +50.1% | $62.53 |
| 2003 | $32.95 | +44.1% | $61.21 |
| 2002 | $19.72 | −13.7% | $37.58 |
| 2001 | $29.59 | +29.4% | $57.04 |
| 2000 | $27.26 | +19.2% | $54.51 |
| 1999 | $12.52 | −45.2% | $25.72 |
| 1998 | $16.72 | −26.9% | $34.92 |
| 1997 | $25.13 | +9.9% | $53.31 |
| 1996 | $18.86 | −17.5% | $41.23 |
| 1995 | $18.04 | −21.1% | $40.51 |
| 1994 | $15.03 | −34.3% | $34.70 |
| 1993 | $19.03 | −16.8% | $45.04 |
| 1992 | $18.79 | −17.8% | $45.92 |
| 1991 | $25.23 | +10.4% | $63.26 |
| 1990 | $22.86 | — | $60.56 |
| 1989 | $18.02 | −21.2% | $50.22 |
| 1988 | $17.13 | −25.1% | $49.97 |
| 1987 | $18.65 | −18.4% | $56.61 |
| 1986 | $22.93 | +0.3% | $70.61 |
“—” 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 January 1990.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Jan 2, 1990 – Jan 31, 1990 | Jan 31, 1990 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Jan 2, 1990 – Jan 31, 1990 | Jan 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)