Oil Prices in May 1995: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $19.74 per barrel in May 1995, little changed from April 1995 ($19.90). A year earlier, in May 1994, it averaged $17.89, so the price was higher by $1.85 (10.3%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, May 1995
Chart data table (22 rows; WTI on 22, Brent on 22)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| May 31, 1995 | $18.88 | $17.58 |
| May 30, 1995 | $18.78 | $17.43 |
| May 26, 1995 | $18.70 | $17.80 |
| May 25, 1995 | $19.12 | $18.00 |
| May 24, 1995 | $19.34 | $18.55 |
| May 23, 1995 | $19.81 | $18.48 |
| May 22, 1995 | $19.86 | $18.38 |
| May 19, 1995 | $20.06 | $18.43 |
| May 18, 1995 | $19.99 | $18.23 |
| May 17, 1995 | $19.94 | $18.50 |
| May 16, 1995 | $20.01 | $18.53 |
| May 15, 1995 | $19.91 | $18.43 |
| May 12, 1995 | $19.55 | $18.23 |
| May 11, 1995 | $19.40 | $18.08 |
| May 10, 1995 | $19.76 | $18.10 |
| May 9, 1995 | $19.67 | $18.12 |
| May 8, 1995 | $20.32 | $18.78 |
| May 5, 1995 | $20.33 | $18.85 |
| May 4, 1995 | $20.30 | $18.68 |
| May 3, 1995 | $19.88 | $18.33 |
| May 2, 1995 | $20.18 | $18.83 |
| May 1, 1995 | $20.53 | $19.38 |
Prices fell over the month, from $20.53 on May 1, 1995 to $18.88 on May 31, 1995.
Brent averaged $18.35, on matched dates $1.39 below WTI on average across 22 dates.
Among the 41 May averages EIA has published, 1995's ranks 8th lowest. Within 1995 it ranks 2nd highest of the 12 monthly averages. The high was $20.53 on May 1, 1995 and the low $18.70 on May 26, 1995. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $43.77 and the high of $20.53 equals $45.53.
May 1995 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $19.74 | $18.35 |
| Change vs April 1995 | −$0.16 | −$0.30 |
| Change vs May 1994 | +$1.85 | +$2.16 |
| Highest daily price | $20.53 May 1, 1995 | $19.38 May 1, 1995 |
| Lowest daily price | $18.70 May 26, 1995 | $17.43 May 30, 1995 |
| Published daily observations | 22 | 22 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $43.77 | $40.69 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for May 1995.
May in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs May 1995 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $102.13 | +417.4% | $102.86 |
| 2025 | $62.17 | +214.9% | $65.27 |
| 2024 | $80.02 | +305.4% | $85.99 |
| 2023 | $71.58 | +262.6% | $79.44 |
| 2022 | $109.55 | +455.0% | $126.50 |
| 2021 | $65.17 | +230.1% | $81.71 |
| 2020 | $28.56 | +44.7% | $37.60 |
| 2019 | $60.83 | +208.2% | $80.17 |
| 2018 | $69.98 | +254.5% | $93.88 |
| 2017 | $48.48 | +145.6% | $66.86 |
| 2016 | $46.71 | +136.6% | $65.63 |
| 2015 | $59.27 | +200.3% | $84.12 |
| 2014 | $102.18 | +417.6% | $144.96 |
| 2013 | $94.51 | +378.8% | $136.93 |
| 2012 | $94.66 | +379.5% | $139.02 |
| 2011 | $100.90 | +411.1% | $150.71 |
| 2010 | $73.74 | +273.6% | $114.07 |
| 2009 | $59.03 | +199.0% | $93.16 |
| 2008 | $125.40 | +535.3% | $195.37 |
| 2007 | $63.46 | +221.5% | $103.00 |
| 2006 | $70.84 | +258.9% | $118.07 |
| 2005 | $49.83 | +152.4% | $86.51 |
| 2004 | $40.28 | +104.1% | $71.89 |
| 2003 | $28.11 | +42.4% | $51.70 |
| 2002 | $27.04 | +37.0% | $50.76 |
| 2001 | $28.63 | +45.0% | $54.38 |
| 2000 | $28.79 | +45.8% | $56.66 |
| 1999 | $17.72 | −10.2% | $35.98 |
| 1998 | $14.91 | −24.5% | $30.91 |
| 1997 | $20.82 | +5.5% | $43.89 |
| 1996 | $21.17 | +7.2% | $45.63 |
| 1995 | $19.74 | — | $43.77 |
| 1994 | $17.89 | −9.4% | $40.94 |
| 1993 | $19.95 | +1.1% | $46.69 |
| 1992 | $20.98 | +6.3% | $50.69 |
| 1991 | $21.23 | +7.5% | $52.84 |
| 1990 | $18.20 | −7.8% | $47.54 |
| 1989 | $20.12 | +1.9% | $54.85 |
| 1988 | $17.42 | −11.8% | $50.04 |
| 1987 | $19.44 | −1.5% | $58.01 |
| 1986 | $15.38 | −22.1% | $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 1995.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | May 1, 1995 – May 31, 1995 | May 31, 1995 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | May 1, 1995 – May 31, 1995 | May 31, 1995 |
| 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:1995 daily prices (CSV)