Oil Prices in August 1991: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $21.69 per barrel in August 1991, little changed from July 1991 ($21.40). A year earlier, in August 1990, it averaged $27.31, so the price was lower by $5.62 (20.6%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, August 1991
Chart data table (22 rows; WTI on 22, Brent on 22)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 30, 1991 | $22.28 | $20.53 |
| Aug 29, 1991 | $22.02 | $20.30 |
| Aug 28, 1991 | $21.77 | $19.98 |
| Aug 27, 1991 | $21.86 | $20.03 |
| Aug 26, 1991 | $21.98 | $20.03 |
| Aug 23, 1991 | $21.78 | $19.85 |
| Aug 22, 1991 | $21.93 | $19.53 |
| Aug 21, 1991 | $21.44 | $19.55 |
| Aug 20, 1991 | $22.30 | $20.98 |
| Aug 19, 1991 | $22.50 | $20.55 |
| Aug 16, 1991 | $21.29 | $19.35 |
| Aug 15, 1991 | $21.39 | $19.25 |
| Aug 14, 1991 | $21.30 | $19.23 |
| Aug 13, 1991 | $21.52 | $19.50 |
| Aug 12, 1991 | $21.71 | $19.63 |
| Aug 9, 1991 | $21.64 | $19.58 |
| Aug 8, 1991 | $21.60 | $19.70 |
| Aug 7, 1991 | $21.38 | $19.35 |
| Aug 6, 1991 | $21.39 | $19.45 |
| Aug 5, 1991 | $21.50 | $19.50 |
| Aug 2, 1991 | $21.35 | $19.40 |
| Aug 1, 1991 | $21.33 | $19.73 |
Prices dipped to $21.29 on Aug 16, 1991, then climbed to $22.50 on Aug 19, 1991 and ended at $22.28. The largest one-day move was +$1.21 on Aug 19, 1991 (+5.7%).
Brent averaged $19.77, on matched dates $1.92 below WTI on average across 22 dates.
Among the 41 August averages EIA has published, 1991's ranks 12th lowest. Within 1991 it ranks 5th highest of the 12 monthly averages. WTI moved 5% or more from the previous published price on 1 day. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $53.59 and the high of $22.50 equals $55.59.
August 1991 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $21.69 | $19.77 |
| Change vs July 1991 | +$0.29 | +$0.37 |
| Change vs August 1990 | −$5.62 | −$7.40 |
| Highest daily price | $22.50 Aug 19, 1991 | $20.98 Aug 20, 1991 |
| Lowest daily price | $21.29 Aug 16, 1991 | $19.23 Aug 14, 1991 |
| Published daily observations | 22 | 22 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $53.59 | $48.85 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for August 1991.
August in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs August 1991 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $83.90 | +286.8% | $84.53 |
| 2025 | $64.86 | +199.0% | $67.57 |
| 2024 | $76.68 | +253.5% | $82.21 |
| 2023 | $81.39 | +275.2% | $89.47 |
| 2022 | $93.67 | +331.9% | $106.74 |
| 2021 | $67.70 | +212.1% | $83.52 |
| 2020 | $42.34 | +95.2% | $54.98 |
| 2019 | $54.81 | +152.7% | $72.10 |
| 2018 | $68.06 | +213.8% | $91.10 |
| 2017 | $48.04 | +121.5% | $66.04 |
| 2016 | $44.72 | +106.2% | $62.67 |
| 2015 | $42.87 | +97.6% | $60.71 |
| 2014 | $96.54 | +345.1% | $136.99 |
| 2013 | $106.57 | +391.3% | $153.79 |
| 2012 | $94.13 | +334.0% | $137.90 |
| 2011 | $86.33 | +298.0% | $128.62 |
| 2010 | $76.60 | +253.2% | $118.42 |
| 2009 | $71.05 | +227.6% | $111.10 |
| 2008 | $116.67 | +437.9% | $179.73 |
| 2007 | $72.36 | +233.6% | $117.46 |
| 2006 | $73.04 | +236.7% | $120.90 |
| 2005 | $64.99 | +199.6% | $111.68 |
| 2004 | $44.90 | +107.0% | $79.97 |
| 2003 | $31.57 | +45.6% | $57.72 |
| 2002 | $28.39 | +30.9% | $53.03 |
| 2001 | $27.37 | +26.2% | $52.04 |
| 2000 | $31.26 | +44.1% | $61.06 |
| 1999 | $21.28 | −1.9% | $42.98 |
| 1998 | $13.47 | −37.9% | $27.82 |
| 1997 | $19.95 | −8.0% | $41.87 |
| 1996 | $21.90 | +1.0% | $46.99 |
| 1995 | $18.02 | −16.9% | $39.78 |
| 1994 | $18.38 | −15.3% | $41.63 |
| 1993 | $18.01 | −17.0% | $41.98 |
| 1992 | $21.34 | −1.6% | $51.12 |
| 1991 | $21.69 | — | $53.59 |
| 1990 | $27.31 | +25.9% | $70.04 |
| 1989 | $18.58 | −14.3% | $50.33 |
| 1988 | $15.52 | −28.4% | $44.02 |
| 1987 | $20.31 | −6.4% | $59.92 |
| 1986 | $15.10 | −30.4% | $46.46 |
“—” 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 August 1991.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Aug 1, 1991 – Aug 30, 1991 | Aug 30, 1991 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Aug 1, 1991 – Aug 30, 1991 | Aug 30, 1991 |
| 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:1991 daily prices (CSV)