Oil Prices in December 1991: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI's monthly average fell to $19.50 in December 1991, down $2.96 (13.2%) from November 1991, the lowest monthly average in nominal terms since July 1990. The average was 29% below the $27.28 of December 1990.
Daily spot prices, December 1991
Chart data table (21 rows; WTI on 21, Brent on 21)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 1991 | $19.15 | $17.75 |
| Dec 30, 1991 | $18.63 | $18.00 |
| Dec 27, 1991 | $18.82 | $17.75 |
| Dec 26, 1991 | $18.63 | $17.78 |
| Dec 24, 1991 | $18.68 | $17.78 |
| Dec 23, 1991 | $18.58 | $17.60 |
| Dec 20, 1991 | $18.28 | $18.55 |
| Dec 19, 1991 | $19.12 | $18.15 |
| Dec 18, 1991 | $19.39 | $18.15 |
| Dec 17, 1991 | $19.45 | $18.13 |
| Dec 16, 1991 | $19.78 | $18.55 |
| Dec 13, 1991 | $20.09 | $19.05 |
| Dec 12, 1991 | $19.94 | $18.58 |
| Dec 11, 1991 | $19.54 | $18.28 |
| Dec 10, 1991 | $19.24 | $18.10 |
| Dec 9, 1991 | $19.39 | $18.25 |
| Dec 6, 1991 | $19.87 | $19.05 |
| Dec 5, 1991 | $20.42 | $19.15 |
| Dec 4, 1991 | $20.75 | $19.18 |
| Dec 3, 1991 | $20.61 | $19.20 |
| Dec 2, 1991 | $21.10 | $19.60 |
Prices fell over the month, from $21.10 on Dec 2, 1991 to $19.15 on Dec 31, 1991, with declines on 13 of 21 trading days. The largest one-day move was −$0.84 on Dec 20, 1991 (−4.4%).
Brent averaged $18.41, on matched dates $1.09 below WTI on average across 21 dates.
Among the 40 December averages EIA has published, 1991's ranks 11th lowest. Within 1991 it ranks the lowest of the 12 monthly averages. The high was $21.10 on Dec 2, 1991 and the low $18.28 on Dec 20, 1991. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $47.73 and the high of $21.10 equals $51.64.
December 1991 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $19.50 | $18.41 |
| Change vs November 1991 | −$2.96 | −$2.70 |
| Change vs December 1990 | −$7.78 | −$9.86 |
| Highest daily price | $21.10 Dec 2, 1991 | $19.60 Dec 2, 1991 |
| Lowest daily price | $18.28 Dec 20, 1991 | $17.60 Dec 23, 1991 |
| Published daily observations | 21 | 21 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $47.73 | $45.06 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for December 1991.
December in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs December 1991 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $57.97 | +197.3% | $60.38 |
| 2024 | $70.12 | +259.6% | $74.99 |
| 2023 | $71.90 | +268.7% | $79.11 |
| 2022 | $76.44 | +292.0% | $86.93 |
| 2021 | $71.71 | +267.7% | $86.81 |
| 2020 | $47.02 | +141.1% | $60.93 |
| 2019 | $59.88 | +207.1% | $78.65 |
| 2018 | $49.52 | +153.9% | $66.53 |
| 2017 | $57.88 | +196.8% | $79.24 |
| 2016 | $51.97 | +166.5% | $72.65 |
| 2015 | $37.19 | +90.7% | $53.07 |
| 2014 | $59.29 | +204.1% | $85.22 |
| 2013 | $97.63 | +400.7% | $141.39 |
| 2012 | $87.86 | +350.6% | $129.15 |
| 2011 | $98.56 | +405.4% | $147.40 |
| 2010 | $89.15 | +357.2% | $137.28 |
| 2009 | $74.47 | +281.9% | $116.39 |
| 2008 | $41.12 | +110.9% | $66.02 |
| 2007 | $91.69 | +370.2% | $147.34 |
| 2006 | $61.96 | +217.7% | $103.63 |
| 2005 | $59.41 | +204.7% | $101.89 |
| 2004 | $43.15 | +121.3% | $76.53 |
| 2003 | $32.13 | +64.8% | $58.84 |
| 2002 | $29.46 | +51.1% | $54.96 |
| 2001 | $19.39 | −0.6% | $37.04 |
| 2000 | $28.44 | +45.8% | $55.17 |
| 1999 | $26.10 | +33.8% | $52.34 |
| 1998 | $11.35 | −41.8% | $23.37 |
| 1997 | $18.33 | −6.0% | $38.35 |
| 1996 | $25.23 | +29.4% | $53.69 |
| 1995 | $19.03 | −2.4% | $41.84 |
| 1994 | $17.16 | −12.0% | $38.69 |
| 1993 | $14.52 | −25.5% | $33.61 |
| 1992 | $19.41 | −0.5% | $46.17 |
| 1991 | $19.50 | — | $47.73 |
| 1990 | $27.28 | +39.9% | $68.81 |
| 1989 | $21.10 | +8.2% | $56.47 |
| 1988 | $16.38 | −16.0% | $45.88 |
| 1987 | $17.28 | −11.4% | $50.54 |
| 1986 | $16.11 | −17.4% | $49.21 |
“—” 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 December 1991.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Dec 2, 1991 – Dec 31, 1991 | Dec 31, 1991 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Dec 2, 1991 – Dec 31, 1991 | Dec 31, 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)