Oil Prices in January 1991: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $25.23 per barrel in January 1991, down $2.05 (7.5%) from December 1990. A year earlier, in January 1990, it averaged $22.86, so the price was higher by $2.37 (10.4%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, January 1991
Chart data table (22 rows; WTI on 22, Brent on 22)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 31, 1991 | $21.90 | $20.70 |
| Jan 30, 1991 | $21.08 | $20.95 |
| Jan 29, 1991 | $21.73 | $20.75 |
| Jan 28, 1991 | $21.03 | $20.40 |
| Jan 25, 1991 | $24.15 | $20.80 |
| Jan 24, 1991 | $25.63 | $20.90 |
| Jan 23, 1991 | $24.08 | $22.15 |
| Jan 22, 1991 | $24.91 | $20.73 |
| Jan 21, 1991 | $21.63 | $19.25 |
| Jan 18, 1991 | $20.05 | $19.10 |
| Jan 17, 1991 | $21.48 | $21.10 |
| Jan 16, 1991 | $32.25 | $30.28 |
| Jan 15, 1991 | $30.35 | $29.25 |
| Jan 14, 1991 | $30.13 | $29.55 |
| Jan 11, 1991 | $27.43 | $26.05 |
| Jan 10, 1991 | $27.55 | $26.58 |
| Jan 9, 1991 | $28.00 | $22.35 |
| Jan 8, 1991 | $27.50 | $25.73 |
| Jan 7, 1991 | $27.25 | $25.93 |
| Jan 4, 1991 | $24.88 | $24.08 |
| Jan 3, 1991 | $25.61 | $25.05 |
| Jan 2, 1991 | $26.53 | $26.78 |
Prices fell over the month, from $26.53 on Jan 2, 1991 to $21.90 on Jan 31, 1991. The largest one-day move was −$10.77 on Jan 17, 1991 (−33.4%).
Brent averaged $23.57, on matched dates $1.67 below WTI on average across 22 dates.
Among the 41 January averages EIA has published, 1991's ranks 15th lowest. Within 1991 it ranks the highest of the 12 monthly averages. The high was $32.25 on Jan 16, 1991 and the low $20.05 on Jan 18, 1991. WTI moved 5% or more from the previous published price on 11 days. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $63.26 and the high of $32.25 equals $80.87.
January 1991 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $25.23 | $23.57 |
| Change vs December 1990 | −$2.05 | −$4.70 |
| Change vs January 1990 | +$2.37 | +$2.32 |
| Highest daily price | $32.25 Jan 16, 1991 | $30.28 Jan 16, 1991 |
| Lowest daily price | $20.05 Jan 18, 1991 | $19.10 Jan 18, 1991 |
| Published daily observations | 22 | 22 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $63.26 | $59.10 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for January 1991.
January in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs January 1991 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $60.04 | +138.0% | $62.30 |
| 2025 | $75.74 | +200.2% | $80.47 |
| 2024 | $74.15 | +193.9% | $81.14 |
| 2023 | $78.12 | +209.6% | $88.13 |
| 2022 | $83.22 | +229.8% | $99.90 |
| 2021 | $52.00 | +106.1% | $67.09 |
| 2020 | $57.52 | +128.0% | $75.26 |
| 2019 | $51.38 | +103.6% | $68.89 |
| 2018 | $63.70 | +152.5% | $86.74 |
| 2017 | $52.50 | +108.1% | $72.97 |
| 2016 | $31.68 | +25.6% | $45.13 |
| 2015 | $47.22 | +87.2% | $68.19 |
| 2014 | $94.62 | +275.0% | $136.52 |
| 2013 | $94.76 | +275.6% | $138.89 |
| 2012 | $100.27 | +297.4% | $149.31 |
| 2011 | $89.17 | +253.4% | $136.66 |
| 2010 | $78.33 | +210.5% | $122.01 |
| 2009 | $41.71 | +65.3% | $66.67 |
| 2008 | $92.97 | +268.5% | $148.66 |
| 2007 | $54.51 | +116.1% | $90.89 |
| 2006 | $65.49 | +159.6% | $111.47 |
| 2005 | $46.84 | +85.7% | $82.90 |
| 2004 | $34.31 | +36.0% | $62.53 |
| 2003 | $32.95 | +30.6% | $61.21 |
| 2002 | $19.72 | −21.8% | $37.58 |
| 2001 | $29.59 | +17.3% | $57.04 |
| 2000 | $27.26 | +8.0% | $54.51 |
| 1999 | $12.52 | −50.4% | $25.72 |
| 1998 | $16.72 | −33.7% | $34.92 |
| 1997 | $25.13 | −0.4% | $53.31 |
| 1996 | $18.86 | −25.2% | $41.23 |
| 1995 | $18.04 | −28.5% | $40.51 |
| 1994 | $15.03 | −40.4% | $34.70 |
| 1993 | $19.03 | −24.6% | $45.04 |
| 1992 | $18.79 | −25.5% | $45.92 |
| 1991 | $25.23 | — | $63.26 |
| 1990 | $22.86 | −9.4% | $60.56 |
| 1989 | $18.02 | −28.6% | $50.22 |
| 1988 | $17.13 | −32.1% | $49.97 |
| 1987 | $18.65 | −26.1% | $56.61 |
| 1986 | $22.93 | −9.1% | $70.61 |
“—” 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 January 1991.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Jan 2, 1991 – Jan 31, 1991 | Jan 31, 1991 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Jan 2, 1991 – Jan 31, 1991 | Jan 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)