Oil Prices in September 1990: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI's monthly average rose to $33.51 in September 1990, up $6.20 (22.7%) from August 1990, the highest monthly average in nominal terms since EIA's records began in 1986. The average was 71% above the $19.59 of September 1989.
Daily spot prices, September 1990
Chart data table (20 rows; WTI on 20, Brent on 20)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 28, 1990 | $39.53 | $41.00 |
| Sep 27, 1990 | $39.77 | $41.45 |
| Sep 26, 1990 | $39.12 | $40.85 |
| Sep 25, 1990 | $38.33 | $39.90 |
| Sep 24, 1990 | $39.05 | $40.75 |
| Sep 21, 1990 | $36.21 | $36.95 |
| Sep 20, 1990 | $34.44 | $35.65 |
| Sep 19, 1990 | $33.18 | $35.08 |
| Sep 18, 1990 | $33.48 | $35.95 |
| Sep 17, 1990 | $33.73 | $34.90 |
| Sep 14, 1990 | $31.79 | $33.35 |
| Sep 13, 1990 | $31.20 | $31.88 |
| Sep 12, 1990 | $30.85 | $31.28 |
| Sep 11, 1990 | $30.29 | $32.10 |
| Sep 10, 1990 | $30.83 | $31.45 |
| Sep 7, 1990 | $30.09 | $31.45 |
| Sep 6, 1990 | $31.51 | $32.15 |
| Sep 5, 1990 | $30.00 | $31.23 |
| Sep 4, 1990 | $29.30 | $30.08 |
| Sep 3, 1990 | $27.45 | $30.53 |
Prices rose over the month, from $27.45 on Sep 3, 1990 to $39.53 on Sep 28, 1990, with gains on 13 of 19 trading days. The largest one-day move was +$2.84 on Sep 24, 1990 (+7.8%).
Brent averaged $34.90; its premium over WTI on matched dates averaged $1.39, with the daily Brent − WTI difference ranging from +$0.43 to +$3.08.
Among the 41 September averages EIA has published, 1990's ranks 17th lowest. Within 1990 it ranks 2nd highest of the 12 monthly averages. The high was $39.77 on Sep 27, 1990 and the low $27.45 on Sep 3, 1990. WTI moved 5% or more from the previous published price on 5 days. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $85.23 and the high of $39.77 equals $101.15.
September 1990 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $33.51 | $34.90 |
| Change vs August 1990 | +$6.20 | +$7.73 |
| Change vs September 1989 | +$13.92 | +$17.13 |
| Highest daily price | $39.77 Sep 27, 1990 | $41.45 Sep 27, 1990 |
| Lowest daily price | $27.45 Sep 3, 1990 | $30.08 Sep 4, 1990 |
| Published daily observations | 20 | 20 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $85.23 | $88.77 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for September 1990.
September in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs September 1990 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $97.31 | +190.4% | $97.47 |
| 2025 | $63.96 | +90.9% | $66.46 |
| 2024 | $70.24 | +109.6% | $75.19 |
| 2023 | $89.43 | +166.9% | $98.07 |
| 2022 | $84.26 | +151.4% | $95.82 |
| 2021 | $71.65 | +113.8% | $88.16 |
| 2020 | $39.63 | +18.3% | $51.39 |
| 2019 | $56.95 | +69.9% | $74.86 |
| 2018 | $70.23 | +109.6% | $93.90 |
| 2017 | $49.82 | +48.7% | $68.13 |
| 2016 | $45.18 | +34.8% | $63.16 |
| 2015 | $45.48 | +35.7% | $64.51 |
| 2014 | $93.21 | +178.2% | $132.17 |
| 2013 | $106.29 | +217.2% | $153.21 |
| 2012 | $94.51 | +182.0% | $137.84 |
| 2011 | $85.52 | +155.2% | $127.22 |
| 2010 | $75.24 | +124.5% | $116.25 |
| 2009 | $69.41 | +107.1% | $108.47 |
| 2008 | $104.11 | +210.7% | $160.61 |
| 2007 | $79.92 | +138.5% | $129.38 |
| 2006 | $63.80 | +90.4% | $106.13 |
| 2005 | $65.59 | +95.7% | $111.35 |
| 2004 | $45.94 | +37.1% | $81.65 |
| 2003 | $28.31 | −15.5% | $51.59 |
| 2002 | $29.66 | −11.5% | $55.31 |
| 2001 | $26.20 | −21.8% | $49.59 |
| 2000 | $33.88 | +1.1% | $65.83 |
| 1999 | $23.80 | −29.0% | $47.84 |
| 1998 | $15.03 | −55.1% | $31.01 |
| 1997 | $19.80 | −40.9% | $41.46 |
| 1996 | $23.97 | −28.5% | $51.27 |
| 1995 | $18.23 | −45.6% | $40.16 |
| 1994 | $17.45 | −47.9% | $39.42 |
| 1993 | $17.50 | −47.8% | $40.71 |
| 1992 | $21.88 | −34.7% | $52.26 |
| 1991 | $21.89 | −34.7% | $53.85 |
| 1990 | $33.51 | — | $85.23 |
| 1989 | $19.59 | −41.5% | $52.89 |
| 1988 | $14.54 | −56.6% | $40.96 |
| 1987 | $19.53 | −41.7% | $57.32 |
| 1986 | $14.87 | −55.6% | $45.54 |
“—” 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 September 1990.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Sep 3, 1990 – Sep 28, 1990 | Sep 28, 1990 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Sep 3, 1990 – Sep 28, 1990 | Sep 28, 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)