Oil Prices in January 1992: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
At $18.79 per barrel, January 1992's WTI average was the lowest monthly average in nominal terms since July 1990, down $0.71 (3.6%) from December 1991. The average was 26% below the $25.23 of January 1991.
Daily spot prices, January 1992
Chart data table (22 rows; WTI on 22, Brent on 22)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 31, 1992 | $18.93 | $18.15 |
| Jan 30, 1992 | $18.95 | $18.10 |
| Jan 29, 1992 | $18.92 | $18.15 |
| Jan 28, 1992 | $19.09 | $18.43 |
| Jan 27, 1992 | $19.35 | $18.55 |
| Jan 24, 1992 | $18.75 | $18.33 |
| Jan 23, 1992 | $18.38 | $18.10 |
| Jan 22, 1992 | $18.73 | $17.83 |
| Jan 21, 1992 | $18.50 | $17.85 |
| Jan 20, 1992 | $18.92 | $18.45 |
| Jan 17, 1992 | $19.11 | $18.48 |
| Jan 16, 1992 | $18.94 | $18.68 |
| Jan 15, 1992 | $18.83 | $18.38 |
| Jan 14, 1992 | $18.40 | $18.23 |
| Jan 13, 1992 | $18.77 | $18.08 |
| Jan 10, 1992 | $18.26 | $17.23 |
| Jan 9, 1992 | $17.89 | $17.18 |
| Jan 8, 1992 | $17.95 | $17.30 |
| Jan 7, 1992 | $18.72 | $18.40 |
| Jan 6, 1992 | $19.24 | $18.75 |
| Jan 3, 1992 | $19.22 | $18.50 |
| Jan 2, 1992 | $19.43 | $18.45 |
The month's range ran from $17.89 on Jan 9, 1992 to $19.43 on Jan 2, 1992; the last price was $18.93 on Jan 31, 1992. The largest one-day move was −$0.77 on Jan 8, 1992 (−4.1%).
Brent averaged $18.16, within a dollar of WTI on average across the 22 dates when both were published.
Among the 41 January averages EIA has published, 1992's ranks 8th lowest. Within 1992 it ranks the lowest of the 12 monthly averages. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $45.92 and the high of $19.43 equals $47.49.
January 1992 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $18.79 | $18.16 |
| Change vs December 1991 | −$0.71 | −$0.25 |
| Change vs January 1991 | −$6.44 | −$5.41 |
| Highest daily price | $19.43 Jan 2, 1992 | $18.75 Jan 6, 1992 |
| Lowest daily price | $17.89 Jan 9, 1992 | $17.18 Jan 9, 1992 |
| Published daily observations | 22 | 22 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $45.92 | $44.38 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for January 1992.
January in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs January 1992 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $60.04 | +219.5% | $62.30 |
| 2025 | $75.74 | +303.1% | $80.47 |
| 2024 | $74.15 | +294.6% | $81.14 |
| 2023 | $78.12 | +315.8% | $88.13 |
| 2022 | $83.22 | +342.9% | $99.90 |
| 2021 | $52.00 | +176.7% | $67.09 |
| 2020 | $57.52 | +206.1% | $75.26 |
| 2019 | $51.38 | +173.4% | $68.89 |
| 2018 | $63.70 | +239.0% | $86.74 |
| 2017 | $52.50 | +179.4% | $72.97 |
| 2016 | $31.68 | +68.6% | $45.13 |
| 2015 | $47.22 | +151.3% | $68.19 |
| 2014 | $94.62 | +403.6% | $136.52 |
| 2013 | $94.76 | +404.3% | $138.89 |
| 2012 | $100.27 | +433.6% | $149.31 |
| 2011 | $89.17 | +374.6% | $136.66 |
| 2010 | $78.33 | +316.9% | $122.01 |
| 2009 | $41.71 | +122.0% | $66.67 |
| 2008 | $92.97 | +394.8% | $148.66 |
| 2007 | $54.51 | +190.1% | $90.89 |
| 2006 | $65.49 | +248.5% | $111.47 |
| 2005 | $46.84 | +149.3% | $82.90 |
| 2004 | $34.31 | +82.6% | $62.53 |
| 2003 | $32.95 | +75.4% | $61.21 |
| 2002 | $19.72 | +4.9% | $37.58 |
| 2001 | $29.59 | +57.5% | $57.04 |
| 2000 | $27.26 | +45.1% | $54.51 |
| 1999 | $12.52 | −33.4% | $25.72 |
| 1998 | $16.72 | −11.0% | $34.92 |
| 1997 | $25.13 | +33.7% | $53.31 |
| 1996 | $18.86 | +0.4% | $41.23 |
| 1995 | $18.04 | −4.0% | $40.51 |
| 1994 | $15.03 | −20.0% | $34.70 |
| 1993 | $19.03 | +1.3% | $45.04 |
| 1992 | $18.79 | — | $45.92 |
| 1991 | $25.23 | +34.3% | $63.26 |
| 1990 | $22.86 | +21.7% | $60.56 |
| 1989 | $18.02 | −4.1% | $50.22 |
| 1988 | $17.13 | −8.8% | $49.97 |
| 1987 | $18.65 | −0.7% | $56.61 |
| 1986 | $22.93 | +22.0% | $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 1992.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Jan 2, 1992 – Jan 31, 1992 | Jan 31, 1992 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Jan 2, 1992 – Jan 31, 1992 | Jan 31, 1992 |
| 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:1992 daily prices (CSV)