Oil Prices in May 1992: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $20.98 per barrel in May 1992, up $0.75 (3.7%) from April 1992. It was within 3% of its level a year earlier ($21.23 in May 1991).
Daily spot prices, May 1992
Chart data table (20 rows; WTI on 20, Brent on 20)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| May 29, 1992 | $22.13 | $20.70 |
| May 28, 1992 | $21.97 | $20.73 |
| May 27, 1992 | $22.00 | $20.80 |
| May 26, 1992 | $21.80 | $20.50 |
| May 22, 1992 | $20.79 | $19.58 |
| May 21, 1992 | $20.79 | $19.60 |
| May 20, 1992 | $20.20 | $19.28 |
| May 19, 1992 | $20.12 | $19.30 |
| May 18, 1992 | $20.54 | $19.70 |
| May 15, 1992 | $20.70 | $19.70 |
| May 14, 1992 | $20.56 | $19.75 |
| May 13, 1992 | $20.75 | $19.95 |
| May 12, 1992 | $20.98 | $19.80 |
| May 11, 1992 | $21.02 | $19.73 |
| May 8, 1992 | $20.85 | $19.63 |
| May 7, 1992 | $20.73 | $19.65 |
| May 6, 1992 | $20.79 | $19.68 |
| May 5, 1992 | $20.78 | $19.98 |
| May 4, 1992 | $21.13 | $19.88 |
| May 1, 1992 | $20.88 | $19.83 |
Prices rose over the month, from $20.88 on May 1, 1992 to $22.13 on May 29, 1992. The largest one-day move was +$1.01 on May 26, 1992 (+4.9%).
Brent averaged $19.89, on matched dates $1.09 below WTI on average across 20 dates.
Among the 41 May averages EIA has published, 1992's ranks 12th lowest. Within 1992 it ranks 6th highest of the 12 monthly averages. The high was $22.13 on May 29, 1992 and the low $20.12 on May 19, 1992. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $50.69 and the high of $22.13 equals $53.47.
May 1992 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $20.98 | $19.89 |
| Change vs April 1992 | +$0.75 | +$0.97 |
| Change vs May 1991 | −$0.25 | +$0.70 |
| Highest daily price | $22.13 May 29, 1992 | $20.80 May 27, 1992 |
| Lowest daily price | $20.12 May 19, 1992 | $19.28 May 20, 1992 |
| Published daily observations | 20 | 20 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $50.69 | $48.05 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for May 1992.
May in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs May 1992 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $102.13 | +386.8% | $102.86 |
| 2025 | $62.17 | +196.3% | $65.27 |
| 2024 | $80.02 | +281.4% | $85.99 |
| 2023 | $71.58 | +241.2% | $79.44 |
| 2022 | $109.55 | +422.2% | $126.50 |
| 2021 | $65.17 | +210.6% | $81.71 |
| 2020 | $28.56 | +36.1% | $37.60 |
| 2019 | $60.83 | +189.9% | $80.17 |
| 2018 | $69.98 | +233.6% | $93.88 |
| 2017 | $48.48 | +131.1% | $66.86 |
| 2016 | $46.71 | +122.6% | $65.63 |
| 2015 | $59.27 | +182.5% | $84.12 |
| 2014 | $102.18 | +387.0% | $144.96 |
| 2013 | $94.51 | +350.5% | $136.93 |
| 2012 | $94.66 | +351.2% | $139.02 |
| 2011 | $100.90 | +380.9% | $150.71 |
| 2010 | $73.74 | +251.5% | $114.07 |
| 2009 | $59.03 | +181.4% | $93.16 |
| 2008 | $125.40 | +497.7% | $195.37 |
| 2007 | $63.46 | +202.5% | $103.00 |
| 2006 | $70.84 | +237.7% | $118.07 |
| 2005 | $49.83 | +137.5% | $86.51 |
| 2004 | $40.28 | +92.0% | $71.89 |
| 2003 | $28.11 | +34.0% | $51.70 |
| 2002 | $27.04 | +28.9% | $50.76 |
| 2001 | $28.63 | +36.5% | $54.38 |
| 2000 | $28.79 | +37.2% | $56.66 |
| 1999 | $17.72 | −15.5% | $35.98 |
| 1998 | $14.91 | −28.9% | $30.91 |
| 1997 | $20.82 | −0.8% | $43.89 |
| 1996 | $21.17 | +0.9% | $45.63 |
| 1995 | $19.74 | −5.9% | $43.77 |
| 1994 | $17.89 | −14.7% | $40.94 |
| 1993 | $19.95 | −4.9% | $46.69 |
| 1992 | $20.98 | — | $50.69 |
| 1991 | $21.23 | +1.2% | $52.84 |
| 1990 | $18.20 | −13.3% | $47.54 |
| 1989 | $20.12 | −4.1% | $54.85 |
| 1988 | $17.42 | −17.0% | $50.04 |
| 1987 | $19.44 | −7.3% | $58.01 |
| 1986 | $15.38 | −26.7% | $47.67 |
“—” 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 May 1992.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | May 1, 1992 – May 29, 1992 | May 29, 1992 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | May 1, 1992 – May 29, 1992 | May 29, 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)