Oil Prices in July 1990: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI's monthly average rose to $18.45 in July 1990, up $1.75 (10.5%) from June 1990. A year earlier, in July 1989, it averaged $19.78, so the price was lower by $1.33 (6.7%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, July 1990
Chart data table (22 rows; WTI on 22, Brent on 22)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 31, 1990 | $20.57 | $19.23 |
| Jul 30, 1990 | $20.24 | $18.98 |
| Jul 27, 1990 | $20.07 | $19.03 |
| Jul 26, 1990 | $20.33 | $18.73 |
| Jul 25, 1990 | $19.33 | $19.00 |
| Jul 24, 1990 | $19.84 | $19.08 |
| Jul 23, 1990 | $19.88 | $18.73 |
| Jul 20, 1990 | $19.61 | $18.00 |
| Jul 19, 1990 | $19.07 | $17.85 |
| Jul 18, 1990 | $18.57 | $17.70 |
| Jul 17, 1990 | $18.23 | $17.58 |
| Jul 16, 1990 | $18.67 | $17.70 |
| Jul 13, 1990 | $18.37 | $17.03 |
| Jul 12, 1990 | $18.69 | $15.88 |
| Jul 11, 1990 | $17.45 | $15.70 |
| Jul 10, 1990 | $17.05 | $15.58 |
| Jul 9, 1990 | $16.63 | $14.98 |
| Jul 6, 1990 | $16.49 | $15.35 |
| Jul 5, 1990 | $16.50 | $15.23 |
| Jul 4, 1990 | $16.73 | $15.48 |
| Jul 3, 1990 | $16.73 | $15.48 |
| Jul 2, 1990 | $16.94 | $15.40 |
Prices rose over the month, from $16.94 on Jul 2, 1990 to $20.57 on Jul 31, 1990. The largest one-day move was +$1.24 on Jul 12, 1990 (+7.1%).
Brent averaged $17.17, on matched dates $1.29 below WTI on average across 22 dates.
Among the 41 July averages EIA has published, 1990's ranks 6th lowest. Within 1990 it ranks 4th lowest of the 12 monthly averages. The high was $20.57 on Jul 31, 1990 and the low $16.49 on Jul 6, 1990. WTI moved 5% or more from the previous published price on 2 days. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $47.75 and the high of $20.57 equals $53.24.
July 1990 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $18.45 | $17.17 |
| Change vs June 1990 | +$1.75 | +$2.07 |
| Change vs July 1989 | −$1.33 | −$0.45 |
| Highest daily price | $20.57 Jul 31, 1990 | $19.23 Jul 31, 1990 |
| Lowest daily price | $16.49 Jul 6, 1990 | $14.98 Jul 9, 1990 |
| Published daily observations | 22 | 22 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $47.75 | $44.44 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for July 1990.
July in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs July 1990 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $80.46 | +336.1% | $81.33 |
| 2025 | $68.39 | +270.7% | $71.45 |
| 2024 | $81.80 | +343.4% | $87.77 |
| 2023 | $76.07 | +312.3% | $83.99 |
| 2022 | $101.62 | +450.8% | $115.76 |
| 2021 | $72.49 | +292.9% | $89.62 |
| 2020 | $40.71 | +120.7% | $53.03 |
| 2019 | $57.35 | +210.8% | $75.44 |
| 2018 | $70.98 | +284.7% | $95.06 |
| 2017 | $46.63 | +152.7% | $64.29 |
| 2016 | $44.65 | +142.0% | $62.63 |
| 2015 | $50.90 | +175.9% | $71.98 |
| 2014 | $103.59 | +461.5% | $146.75 |
| 2013 | $104.67 | +467.3% | $151.23 |
| 2012 | $87.90 | +376.4% | $129.49 |
| 2011 | $97.30 | +427.4% | $145.36 |
| 2010 | $76.32 | +313.7% | $118.15 |
| 2009 | $64.15 | +247.7% | $100.54 |
| 2008 | $133.37 | +622.9% | $204.64 |
| 2007 | $74.12 | +301.7% | $120.10 |
| 2006 | $74.41 | +303.3% | $123.41 |
| 2005 | $59.00 | +219.8% | $101.91 |
| 2004 | $40.78 | +121.0% | $72.67 |
| 2003 | $30.76 | +66.7% | $56.45 |
| 2002 | $26.97 | +46.2% | $50.54 |
| 2001 | $26.43 | +43.3% | $50.26 |
| 2000 | $29.70 | +61.0% | $58.01 |
| 1999 | $20.10 | +8.9% | $40.70 |
| 1998 | $14.17 | −23.2% | $29.30 |
| 1997 | $19.66 | +6.6% | $41.34 |
| 1996 | $21.30 | +15.4% | $45.79 |
| 1995 | $17.33 | −6.1% | $38.35 |
| 1994 | $19.66 | +6.6% | $44.71 |
| 1993 | $17.89 | −3.0% | $41.81 |
| 1992 | $21.78 | +18.0% | $52.32 |
| 1991 | $21.40 | +16.0% | $53.03 |
| 1990 | $18.45 | — | $47.75 |
| 1989 | $19.78 | +7.2% | $53.67 |
| 1988 | $15.50 | −16.0% | $44.15 |
| 1987 | $21.34 | +15.7% | $63.29 |
| 1986 | $11.59 | −37.2% | $35.72 |
“—” 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 July 1990.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Jul 2, 1990 – Jul 31, 1990 | Jul 31, 1990 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Jul 2, 1990 – Jul 31, 1990 | Jul 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)