Oil Prices in December 1993: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI's monthly average fell to $14.52 in December 1993, down $2.09 (12.6%) from November 1993, the lowest monthly average in nominal terms since November 1988. The average was 25% below the $19.41 of December 1992.
Daily spot prices, December 1993
Chart data table (23 rows; WTI on 21, Brent on 21)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 1993 | — | $13.18 |
| Dec 30, 1993 | $14.19 | $13.20 |
| Dec 29, 1993 | $14.45 | $13.13 |
| Dec 28, 1993 | $14.11 | — |
| Dec 27, 1993 | $14.09 | — |
| Dec 24, 1993 | — | $13.38 |
| Dec 23, 1993 | $14.48 | $13.55 |
| Dec 22, 1993 | $14.61 | $13.60 |
| Dec 21, 1993 | $14.32 | $13.45 |
| Dec 20, 1993 | $14.20 | $13.63 |
| Dec 17, 1993 | $13.98 | $13.85 |
| Dec 16, 1993 | $14.21 | $13.63 |
| Dec 15, 1993 | $14.39 | $13.80 |
| Dec 14, 1993 | $14.47 | $14.78 |
| Dec 13, 1993 | $14.50 | $13.90 |
| Dec 10, 1993 | $15.04 | $13.80 |
| Dec 9, 1993 | $14.65 | $13.60 |
| Dec 8, 1993 | $14.61 | $13.45 |
| Dec 7, 1993 | $14.53 | $13.88 |
| Dec 6, 1993 | $14.57 | $13.90 |
| Dec 3, 1993 | $15.03 | $13.95 |
| Dec 2, 1993 | $14.93 | $14.15 |
| Dec 1, 1993 | $15.45 | $14.43 |
Prices fell over the month, from $15.45 on Dec 1, 1993 to $14.19 on Dec 30, 1993.
Brent averaged $13.73, within a dollar of WTI on average across the 19 dates when both were published.
Among the 40 December averages EIA has published, 1993's ranks 2nd lowest. Within 1993 it ranks the lowest of the 12 monthly averages. The high was $15.45 on Dec 1, 1993 and the low $13.98 on Dec 17, 1993. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $33.61 and the high of $15.45 equals $35.77.
December 1993 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $14.52 | $13.73 |
| Change vs November 1993 | −$2.09 | −$1.47 |
| Change vs December 1992 | −$4.89 | −$4.41 |
| Highest daily price | $15.45 Dec 1, 1993 | $14.78 Dec 14, 1993 |
| Lowest daily price | $13.98 Dec 17, 1993 | $13.13 Dec 29, 1993 |
| Published daily observations | 21 | 21 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $33.61 | $31.78 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for December 1993.
December in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs December 1993 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $57.97 | +299.2% | $60.38 |
| 2024 | $70.12 | +382.9% | $74.99 |
| 2023 | $71.90 | +395.2% | $79.11 |
| 2022 | $76.44 | +426.4% | $86.93 |
| 2021 | $71.71 | +393.9% | $86.81 |
| 2020 | $47.02 | +223.8% | $60.93 |
| 2019 | $59.88 | +312.4% | $78.65 |
| 2018 | $49.52 | +241.0% | $66.53 |
| 2017 | $57.88 | +298.6% | $79.24 |
| 2016 | $51.97 | +257.9% | $72.65 |
| 2015 | $37.19 | +156.1% | $53.07 |
| 2014 | $59.29 | +308.3% | $85.22 |
| 2013 | $97.63 | +572.4% | $141.39 |
| 2012 | $87.86 | +505.1% | $129.15 |
| 2011 | $98.56 | +578.8% | $147.40 |
| 2010 | $89.15 | +514.0% | $137.28 |
| 2009 | $74.47 | +412.9% | $116.39 |
| 2008 | $41.12 | +183.2% | $66.02 |
| 2007 | $91.69 | +531.5% | $147.34 |
| 2006 | $61.96 | +326.7% | $103.63 |
| 2005 | $59.41 | +309.2% | $101.89 |
| 2004 | $43.15 | +197.2% | $76.53 |
| 2003 | $32.13 | +121.3% | $58.84 |
| 2002 | $29.46 | +102.9% | $54.96 |
| 2001 | $19.39 | +33.5% | $37.04 |
| 2000 | $28.44 | +95.9% | $55.17 |
| 1999 | $26.10 | +79.8% | $52.34 |
| 1998 | $11.35 | −21.8% | $23.37 |
| 1997 | $18.33 | +26.2% | $38.35 |
| 1996 | $25.23 | +73.8% | $53.69 |
| 1995 | $19.03 | +31.1% | $41.84 |
| 1994 | $17.16 | +18.2% | $38.69 |
| 1993 | $14.52 | — | $33.61 |
| 1992 | $19.41 | +33.7% | $46.17 |
| 1991 | $19.50 | +34.3% | $47.73 |
| 1990 | $27.28 | +87.9% | $68.81 |
| 1989 | $21.10 | +45.3% | $56.47 |
| 1988 | $16.38 | +12.8% | $45.88 |
| 1987 | $17.28 | +19.0% | $50.54 |
| 1986 | $16.11 | +11.0% | $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 1993.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Dec 1, 1993 – Dec 30, 1993 | Dec 30, 1993 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Dec 1, 1993 – Dec 31, 1993 | Dec 31, 1993 |
| 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:1993 daily prices (CSV)