Oil Prices in October 1990: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
At $36.04 per barrel, October 1990's WTI average was the highest monthly average in nominal terms since EIA's records began in 1986, up $2.53 (7.5%) from September 1990. The average was 79% above the $20.10 of October 1989.
Daily spot prices, October 1990
Chart data table (23 rows; WTI on 23, Brent on 23)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 1990 | $35.31 | $34.30 |
| Oct 30, 1990 | $34.93 | $35.50 |
| Oct 29, 1990 | $35.28 | $34.65 |
| Oct 26, 1990 | $33.03 | $33.73 |
| Oct 25, 1990 | $34.35 | $32.90 |
| Oct 24, 1990 | $30.80 | $30.10 |
| Oct 23, 1990 | $29.95 | $28.95 |
| Oct 22, 1990 | $28.46 | $27.45 |
| Oct 19, 1990 | $33.82 | $33.20 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | $37.03 | $35.65 |
| Oct 17, 1990 | $36.03 | $35.33 |
| Oct 16, 1990 | $39.34 | $38.93 |
| Oct 15, 1990 | $38.00 | $38.28 |
| Oct 12, 1990 | $39.42 | $39.90 |
| Oct 11, 1990 | $41.07 | $41.15 |
| Oct 10, 1990 | $39.30 | $40.20 |
| Oct 9, 1990 | $40.73 | $40.90 |
| Oct 8, 1990 | $38.88 | $39.20 |
| Oct 5, 1990 | $37.87 | $39.05 |
| Oct 4, 1990 | $36.76 | $37.20 |
| Oct 3, 1990 | $37.04 | $37.55 |
| Oct 2, 1990 | $34.43 | $35.45 |
| Oct 1, 1990 | $37.08 | $38.95 |
Prices peaked at $41.07 on Oct 11, 1990, then fell to $28.46 on Oct 22, 1990 and ended at $35.31. The largest one-day move was −$5.36 on Oct 22, 1990 (−15.8%).
Brent averaged $36.02, within a dollar of WTI on average across the 23 dates when both were published.
Among the 41 October averages EIA has published, 1990's ranks 18th lowest. Within 1990 it ranks the highest of the 12 monthly averages. WTI moved 5% or more from the previous published price on 9 days. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $91.12 and the high of $41.07 equals $103.83.
October 1990 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $36.04 | $36.02 |
| Change vs September 1990 | +$2.53 | +$1.12 |
| Change vs October 1989 | +$15.94 | +$17.11 |
| Highest daily price | $41.07 Oct 11, 1990 | $41.15 Oct 11, 1990 |
| Lowest daily price | $28.46 Oct 22, 1990 | $27.45 Oct 22, 1990 |
| Published daily observations | 23 | 23 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $91.12 | $91.06 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for October 1990.
October in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs October 1990 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $102.07 | +183.2% | $102.07 |
| 2025 | $60.89 | +69.0% | — |
| 2024 | $71.99 | +99.8% | $76.97 |
| 2023 | $85.64 | +137.6% | $93.95 |
| 2022 | $87.55 | +142.9% | $99.15 |
| 2021 | $81.48 | +126.1% | $99.43 |
| 2020 | $39.40 | +9.3% | $51.07 |
| 2019 | $53.96 | +49.7% | $70.77 |
| 2018 | $70.75 | +96.3% | $94.43 |
| 2017 | $51.58 | +43.1% | $70.58 |
| 2016 | $49.78 | +38.1% | $69.50 |
| 2015 | $46.22 | +28.2% | $65.59 |
| 2014 | $84.40 | +134.2% | $119.97 |
| 2013 | $100.54 | +179.0% | $145.30 |
| 2012 | $89.49 | +148.3% | $130.57 |
| 2011 | $86.32 | +139.5% | $128.67 |
| 2010 | $81.89 | +127.2% | $126.37 |
| 2009 | $75.72 | +110.1% | $118.22 |
| 2008 | $76.61 | +112.6% | $119.39 |
| 2007 | $85.80 | +138.1% | $138.60 |
| 2006 | $58.89 | +63.4% | $98.49 |
| 2005 | $62.26 | +72.8% | $105.49 |
| 2004 | $53.28 | +47.8% | $94.20 |
| 2003 | $30.34 | −15.8% | $55.35 |
| 2002 | $28.84 | −20.0% | $53.69 |
| 2001 | $22.17 | −38.5% | $42.11 |
| 2000 | $33.11 | −8.1% | $64.22 |
| 1999 | $22.69 | −37.0% | $45.53 |
| 1998 | $14.46 | −59.9% | $29.76 |
| 1997 | $21.33 | −40.8% | $44.55 |
| 1996 | $24.88 | −31.0% | $53.05 |
| 1995 | $17.43 | −51.6% | $38.27 |
| 1994 | $17.72 | −50.8% | $40.00 |
| 1993 | $18.15 | −49.6% | $42.04 |
| 1992 | $21.69 | −39.8% | $51.63 |
| 1991 | $23.23 | −35.5% | $57.06 |
| 1990 | $36.04 | — | $91.12 |
| 1989 | $20.10 | −44.2% | $54.01 |
| 1988 | $13.77 | −61.8% | $38.66 |
| 1987 | $19.86 | −44.9% | $58.14 |
| 1986 | $14.90 | −58.7% | $45.59 |
“—” 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 October 1990.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Oct 1, 1990 – Oct 31, 1990 | Oct 31, 1990 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Oct 1, 1990 – Oct 31, 1990 | Oct 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)