Oil Prices in April 1996: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI's monthly average rose to $23.50 in April 1996, up $2.17 (10.2%) from March 1996, the highest monthly average in nominal terms since January 1991. A year earlier, in April 1995, it averaged $19.90, so the price was higher by $3.60 (18.1%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, April 1996
Chart data table (21 rows; WTI on 21, Brent on 20)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 30, 1996 | $20.95 | $19.50 |
| Apr 29, 1996 | $22.07 | $20.05 |
| Apr 26, 1996 | $22.33 | $20.05 |
| Apr 25, 1996 | $24.35 | $20.35 |
| Apr 24, 1996 | $24.00 | $20.73 |
| Apr 23, 1996 | $24.39 | $20.88 |
| Apr 22, 1996 | $23.94 | $19.38 |
| Apr 19, 1996 | $23.96 | $19.53 |
| Apr 18, 1996 | $23.47 | $19.33 |
| Apr 17, 1996 | $24.67 | $19.88 |
| Apr 16, 1996 | $24.48 | $21.20 |
| Apr 15, 1996 | $25.13 | $22.68 |
| Apr 12, 1996 | $24.29 | $22.73 |
| Apr 11, 1996 | $25.15 | $23.90 |
| Apr 10, 1996 | $24.08 | $22.63 |
| Apr 9, 1996 | $23.23 | $21.43 |
| Apr 8, 1996 | $23.01 | — |
| Apr 4, 1996 | $22.75 | $20.85 |
| Apr 3, 1996 | $22.22 | $20.93 |
| Apr 2, 1996 | $22.68 | $21.18 |
| Apr 1, 1996 | $22.29 | $20.80 |
Prices fell over the month, from $22.29 on Apr 1, 1996 to $20.95 on Apr 30, 1996. The largest one-day move was −$2.02 on Apr 26, 1996 (−8.3%).
Brent averaged $20.90, on matched dates $2.62 below WTI on average across 20 dates.
Among the 41 April averages EIA has published, 1996's ranks 15th lowest. Within 1996 it ranks 5th highest of the 12 monthly averages. The high was $25.15 on Apr 11, 1996 and the low $20.95 on Apr 30, 1996. WTI moved 5% or more from the previous published price on 2 days. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $50.75 and the high of $25.15 equals $54.31.
April 1996 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $23.50 | $20.90 |
| Change vs March 1996 | +$2.17 | +$1.05 |
| Change vs April 1995 | +$3.60 | +$2.25 |
| Highest daily price | $25.15 Apr 11, 1996 | $23.90 Apr 11, 1996 |
| Lowest daily price | $20.95 Apr 30, 1996 | $19.33 Apr 18, 1996 |
| Published daily observations | 21 | 20 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $50.75 | $45.13 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for April 1996.
April in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs April 1996 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $100.32 | +326.9% | $101.67 |
| 2025 | $63.54 | +170.4% | $66.85 |
| 2024 | $85.35 | +263.2% | $91.87 |
| 2023 | $79.45 | +238.1% | $88.39 |
| 2022 | $101.78 | +333.1% | $118.82 |
| 2021 | $61.72 | +162.6% | $78.00 |
| 2020 | $16.55 | −29.6% | $21.79 |
| 2019 | $63.86 | +171.7% | $84.34 |
| 2018 | $66.25 | +181.9% | $89.25 |
| 2017 | $51.06 | +117.3% | $70.48 |
| 2016 | $40.75 | +73.4% | $57.48 |
| 2015 | $54.45 | +131.7% | $77.67 |
| 2014 | $102.07 | +334.3% | $145.31 |
| 2013 | $92.02 | +291.6% | $133.56 |
| 2012 | $103.32 | +339.7% | $151.56 |
| 2011 | $109.53 | +366.1% | $164.37 |
| 2010 | $84.29 | +258.7% | $130.49 |
| 2009 | $49.65 | +111.3% | $78.58 |
| 2008 | $112.58 | +379.1% | $176.88 |
| 2007 | $63.98 | +172.3% | $104.48 |
| 2006 | $69.44 | +195.5% | $116.31 |
| 2005 | $52.98 | +125.4% | $91.89 |
| 2004 | $36.75 | +56.4% | $65.98 |
| 2003 | $28.17 | +19.9% | $51.73 |
| 2002 | $26.18 | +11.4% | $49.14 |
| 2001 | $27.49 | +17.0% | $52.45 |
| 2000 | $25.72 | +9.4% | $50.68 |
| 1999 | $17.31 | −26.3% | $35.15 |
| 1998 | $15.35 | −34.7% | $31.88 |
| 1997 | $19.70 | −16.2% | $41.50 |
| 1996 | $23.50 | — | $50.75 |
| 1995 | $19.90 | −15.3% | $44.22 |
| 1994 | $16.42 | −30.1% | $37.60 |
| 1993 | $20.25 | −13.8% | $47.46 |
| 1992 | $20.23 | −13.9% | $48.95 |
| 1991 | $20.83 | −11.4% | $52.00 |
| 1990 | $18.43 | −21.6% | $48.26 |
| 1989 | $21.07 | −10.3% | $57.77 |
| 1988 | $17.86 | −24.0% | $51.48 |
| 1987 | $18.68 | −20.5% | $55.94 |
| 1986 | $12.84 | −45.4% | $39.90 |
“—” 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 April 1996.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Apr 1, 1996 – Apr 30, 1996 | Apr 30, 1996 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Apr 1, 1996 – Apr 30, 1996 | Apr 30, 1996 |
| 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:1996 daily prices (CSV)