Oil Prices in May 1990: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
At $18.20 per barrel, May 1990's WTI average was the lowest monthly average in nominal terms since February 1989, down $0.23 (1.2%) from April 1990. A year earlier, in May 1989, it averaged $20.12, so the price was lower by $1.92 (9.5%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, May 1990
Chart data table (22 rows; WTI on 22, Brent on 22)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| May 31, 1990 | $17.47 | $15.30 |
| May 30, 1990 | $17.88 | $15.98 |
| May 29, 1990 | $18.00 | $15.48 |
| May 25, 1990 | $16.12 | $15.95 |
| May 24, 1990 | $16.02 | $15.80 |
| May 23, 1990 | $16.25 | $15.70 |
| May 22, 1990 | $17.51 | $16.48 |
| May 21, 1990 | $18.26 | $16.65 |
| May 18, 1990 | $18.78 | $17.08 |
| May 17, 1990 | $18.89 | $17.05 |
| May 16, 1990 | $19.05 | $17.25 |
| May 15, 1990 | $19.52 | $17.40 |
| May 14, 1990 | $19.73 | $17.40 |
| May 11, 1990 | $18.96 | $16.73 |
| May 10, 1990 | $19.03 | $16.70 |
| May 9, 1990 | $19.01 | $16.45 |
| May 8, 1990 | $18.26 | $16.18 |
| May 7, 1990 | $18.30 | $15.65 |
| May 4, 1990 | $17.98 | $15.58 |
| May 3, 1990 | $17.98 | $15.93 |
| May 2, 1990 | $18.63 | $16.58 |
| May 1, 1990 | $18.76 | $16.43 |
Prices peaked at $19.73 on May 14, 1990, then fell to $16.02 on May 24, 1990 and ended at $17.47. The largest one-day move was +$1.88 on May 29, 1990 (+11.7%).
Brent averaged $16.35, on matched dates $1.85 below WTI on average across 22 dates.
Among the 41 May averages EIA has published, 1990's ranks 6th lowest. Within 1990 it ranks 2nd lowest 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 $47.54 and the high of $19.73 equals $51.54.
May 1990 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $18.20 | $16.35 |
| Change vs April 1990 | −$0.23 | −$0.26 |
| Change vs May 1989 | −$1.92 | −$2.28 |
| Highest daily price | $19.73 May 14, 1990 | $17.40 May 14, 1990 |
| Lowest daily price | $16.02 May 24, 1990 | $15.30 May 31, 1990 |
| Published daily observations | 22 | 22 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $47.54 | $42.71 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for May 1990.
May in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs May 1990 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $102.13 | +461.2% | $102.86 |
| 2025 | $62.17 | +241.6% | $65.27 |
| 2024 | $80.02 | +339.7% | $85.99 |
| 2023 | $71.58 | +293.3% | $79.44 |
| 2022 | $109.55 | +501.9% | $126.50 |
| 2021 | $65.17 | +258.1% | $81.71 |
| 2020 | $28.56 | +56.9% | $37.60 |
| 2019 | $60.83 | +234.2% | $80.17 |
| 2018 | $69.98 | +284.5% | $93.88 |
| 2017 | $48.48 | +166.4% | $66.86 |
| 2016 | $46.71 | +156.6% | $65.63 |
| 2015 | $59.27 | +225.7% | $84.12 |
| 2014 | $102.18 | +461.4% | $144.96 |
| 2013 | $94.51 | +419.3% | $136.93 |
| 2012 | $94.66 | +420.1% | $139.02 |
| 2011 | $100.90 | +454.4% | $150.71 |
| 2010 | $73.74 | +305.2% | $114.07 |
| 2009 | $59.03 | +224.3% | $93.16 |
| 2008 | $125.40 | +589.0% | $195.37 |
| 2007 | $63.46 | +248.7% | $103.00 |
| 2006 | $70.84 | +289.2% | $118.07 |
| 2005 | $49.83 | +173.8% | $86.51 |
| 2004 | $40.28 | +121.3% | $71.89 |
| 2003 | $28.11 | +54.5% | $51.70 |
| 2002 | $27.04 | +48.6% | $50.76 |
| 2001 | $28.63 | +57.3% | $54.38 |
| 2000 | $28.79 | +58.2% | $56.66 |
| 1999 | $17.72 | −2.6% | $35.98 |
| 1998 | $14.91 | −18.1% | $30.91 |
| 1997 | $20.82 | +14.4% | $43.89 |
| 1996 | $21.17 | +16.3% | $45.63 |
| 1995 | $19.74 | +8.5% | $43.77 |
| 1994 | $17.89 | −1.7% | $40.94 |
| 1993 | $19.95 | +9.6% | $46.69 |
| 1992 | $20.98 | +15.3% | $50.69 |
| 1991 | $21.23 | +16.6% | $52.84 |
| 1990 | $18.20 | — | $47.54 |
| 1989 | $20.12 | +10.5% | $54.85 |
| 1988 | $17.42 | −4.3% | $50.04 |
| 1987 | $19.44 | +6.8% | $58.01 |
| 1986 | $15.38 | −15.5% | $47.67 |
“—” 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 May 1990.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | May 1, 1990 – May 31, 1990 | May 31, 1990 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | May 1, 1990 – May 31, 1990 | May 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)