Oil Prices in March 1990: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $20.39 per barrel in March 1990, down $1.72 (7.8%) from February 1990. A year earlier, in March 1989, it averaged $19.48, so the price was higher by $0.91 (4.7%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, March 1990
Chart data table (22 rows; WTI on 22, Brent on 22)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 30, 1990 | $20.34 | $17.95 |
| Mar 29, 1990 | $20.03 | $17.90 |
| Mar 28, 1990 | $20.09 | $18.03 |
| Mar 27, 1990 | $20.36 | $18.10 |
| Mar 26, 1990 | $20.48 | $18.23 |
| Mar 23, 1990 | $20.28 | $17.88 |
| Mar 22, 1990 | $19.85 | $17.83 |
| Mar 21, 1990 | $19.59 | $17.78 |
| Mar 20, 1990 | $19.34 | $17.75 |
| Mar 19, 1990 | $19.60 | $17.83 |
| Mar 16, 1990 | $20.09 | $18.40 |
| Mar 15, 1990 | $20.38 | $18.48 |
| Mar 14, 1990 | $20.07 | $18.33 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | $20.15 | $18.53 |
| Mar 12, 1990 | $20.26 | $18.30 |
| Mar 9, 1990 | $20.42 | $18.68 |
| Mar 8, 1990 | $20.80 | $18.73 |
| Mar 7, 1990 | $20.93 | $18.95 |
| Mar 6, 1990 | $21.30 | $19.18 |
| Mar 5, 1990 | $21.62 | $19.15 |
| Mar 2, 1990 | $21.36 | $19.18 |
| Mar 1, 1990 | $21.19 | $19.33 |
Prices peaked at $21.62 on Mar 5, 1990, then fell to $19.34 on Mar 20, 1990 and ended at $20.34.
Brent averaged $18.39, on matched dates $2.00 below WTI on average across 22 dates.
Among the 41 March averages EIA has published, 1990's ranks 12th lowest. Within 1990 it ranks 5th lowest of the 12 monthly averages. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $53.47 and the high of $21.62 equals $56.70.
March 1990 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $20.39 | $18.39 |
| Change vs February 1990 | −$1.72 | −$1.42 |
| Change vs March 1989 | +$0.91 | −$0.31 |
| Highest daily price | $21.62 Mar 5, 1990 | $19.33 Mar 1, 1990 |
| Lowest daily price | $19.34 Mar 20, 1990 | $17.75 Mar 20, 1990 |
| Published daily observations | 22 | 22 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $53.47 | $48.23 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for March 1990.
March in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs March 1990 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $91.38 | +348.2% | $93.40 |
| 2025 | $68.24 | +234.7% | $72.02 |
| 2024 | $81.28 | +298.6% | $87.83 |
| 2023 | $73.28 | +259.4% | $81.94 |
| 2022 | $108.50 | +432.1% | $127.37 |
| 2021 | $62.33 | +205.7% | $79.42 |
| 2020 | $29.21 | +43.3% | $38.19 |
| 2019 | $58.15 | +185.2% | $77.21 |
| 2018 | $62.73 | +207.7% | $84.84 |
| 2017 | $49.33 | +141.9% | $68.29 |
| 2016 | $37.55 | +84.2% | $53.22 |
| 2015 | $47.82 | +134.5% | $68.35 |
| 2014 | $100.80 | +394.4% | $143.98 |
| 2013 | $92.94 | +355.8% | $134.76 |
| 2012 | $106.16 | +420.6% | $156.20 |
| 2011 | $102.86 | +404.5% | $155.35 |
| 2010 | $81.20 | +298.2% | $125.93 |
| 2009 | $47.94 | +135.1% | $76.07 |
| 2008 | $105.45 | +417.2% | $166.68 |
| 2007 | $60.44 | +196.4% | $99.34 |
| 2006 | $62.69 | +207.5% | $105.90 |
| 2005 | $54.19 | +165.8% | $94.62 |
| 2004 | $36.74 | +80.2% | $66.17 |
| 2003 | $33.51 | +64.3% | $61.40 |
| 2002 | $24.53 | +20.3% | $46.30 |
| 2001 | $27.25 | +33.6% | $52.20 |
| 2000 | $29.84 | +46.3% | $58.83 |
| 1999 | $14.68 | −28.0% | $30.03 |
| 1998 | $15.12 | −25.8% | $31.46 |
| 1997 | $20.97 | +2.8% | $44.24 |
| 1996 | $21.33 | +4.6% | $46.24 |
| 1995 | $18.54 | −9.1% | $41.33 |
| 1994 | $14.68 | −28.0% | $33.66 |
| 1993 | $20.32 | −0.3% | $47.76 |
| 1992 | $18.92 | −7.2% | $45.84 |
| 1991 | $19.90 | −2.4% | $49.75 |
| 1990 | $20.39 | — | $53.47 |
| 1989 | $19.48 | −4.5% | $53.76 |
| 1988 | $16.20 | −20.5% | $46.93 |
| 1987 | $18.30 | −10.3% | $55.10 |
| 1986 | $12.61 | −38.2% | $39.12 |
“—” 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 March 1990.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Mar 1, 1990 – Mar 30, 1990 | Mar 30, 1990 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Mar 1, 1990 – Mar 30, 1990 | Mar 30, 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)