Oil Prices in August 1996: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $21.90 per barrel in August 1996, up $0.60 (2.8%) from July 1996. A year earlier, in August 1995, it averaged $18.02, so the price was higher by $3.88 (21.5%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, August 1996
Chart data table (22 rows; WTI on 22, Brent on 21)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 30, 1996 | $22.25 | $20.98 |
| Aug 29, 1996 | $22.20 | $21.00 |
| Aug 28, 1996 | $21.75 | $20.68 |
| Aug 27, 1996 | $21.35 | $20.45 |
| Aug 26, 1996 | $21.55 | — |
| Aug 23, 1996 | $22.23 | $20.78 |
| Aug 22, 1996 | $22.48 | $21.25 |
| Aug 21, 1996 | $22.15 | $20.80 |
| Aug 20, 1996 | $22.53 | $21.35 |
| Aug 19, 1996 | $23.10 | $21.58 |
| Aug 16, 1996 | $22.60 | $21.30 |
| Aug 15, 1996 | $21.95 | $20.88 |
| Aug 14, 1996 | $22.10 | $20.90 |
| Aug 13, 1996 | $22.35 | $21.03 |
| Aug 12, 1996 | $22.25 | $20.65 |
| Aug 9, 1996 | $21.60 | $20.05 |
| Aug 8, 1996 | $21.45 | $20.03 |
| Aug 7, 1996 | $21.35 | $19.48 |
| Aug 6, 1996 | $21.08 | $19.45 |
| Aug 5, 1996 | $21.25 | $19.65 |
| Aug 2, 1996 | $21.35 | $19.63 |
| Aug 1, 1996 | $20.95 | $18.84 |
The month's range ran from $20.95 on Aug 1, 1996 to $23.10 on Aug 19, 1996; the last price was $22.25 on Aug 30, 1996.
Brent averaged $20.51, on matched dates $1.41 below WTI on average across 21 dates.
Among the 41 August averages EIA has published, 1996's ranks 13th lowest. Within 1996 it ranks 6th highest of the 12 monthly averages. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $46.99 and the high of $23.10 equals $49.56.
August 1996 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $21.90 | $20.51 |
| Change vs July 1996 | +$0.60 | +$0.94 |
| Change vs August 1995 | +$3.88 | +$4.41 |
| Highest daily price | $23.10 Aug 19, 1996 | $21.58 Aug 19, 1996 |
| Lowest daily price | $20.95 Aug 1, 1996 | $18.84 Aug 1, 1996 |
| Published daily observations | 22 | 21 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $46.99 | $44.01 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for August 1996.
August in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs August 1996 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $83.90 | +283.1% | $84.53 |
| 2025 | $64.86 | +196.2% | $67.57 |
| 2024 | $76.68 | +250.1% | $82.21 |
| 2023 | $81.39 | +271.6% | $89.47 |
| 2022 | $93.67 | +327.7% | $106.74 |
| 2021 | $67.70 | +209.1% | $83.52 |
| 2020 | $42.34 | +93.3% | $54.98 |
| 2019 | $54.81 | +150.3% | $72.10 |
| 2018 | $68.06 | +210.8% | $91.10 |
| 2017 | $48.04 | +119.4% | $66.04 |
| 2016 | $44.72 | +104.2% | $62.67 |
| 2015 | $42.87 | +95.8% | $60.71 |
| 2014 | $96.54 | +340.8% | $136.99 |
| 2013 | $106.57 | +386.6% | $153.79 |
| 2012 | $94.13 | +329.8% | $137.90 |
| 2011 | $86.33 | +294.2% | $128.62 |
| 2010 | $76.60 | +249.8% | $118.42 |
| 2009 | $71.05 | +224.4% | $111.10 |
| 2008 | $116.67 | +432.7% | $179.73 |
| 2007 | $72.36 | +230.4% | $117.46 |
| 2006 | $73.04 | +233.5% | $120.90 |
| 2005 | $64.99 | +196.8% | $111.68 |
| 2004 | $44.90 | +105.0% | $79.97 |
| 2003 | $31.57 | +44.2% | $57.72 |
| 2002 | $28.39 | +29.6% | $53.03 |
| 2001 | $27.37 | +25.0% | $52.04 |
| 2000 | $31.26 | +42.7% | $61.06 |
| 1999 | $21.28 | −2.8% | $42.98 |
| 1998 | $13.47 | −38.5% | $27.82 |
| 1997 | $19.95 | −8.9% | $41.87 |
| 1996 | $21.90 | — | $46.99 |
| 1995 | $18.02 | −17.7% | $39.78 |
| 1994 | $18.38 | −16.1% | $41.63 |
| 1993 | $18.01 | −17.8% | $41.98 |
| 1992 | $21.34 | −2.6% | $51.12 |
| 1991 | $21.69 | −1.0% | $53.59 |
| 1990 | $27.31 | +24.7% | $70.04 |
| 1989 | $18.58 | −15.2% | $50.33 |
| 1988 | $15.52 | −29.1% | $44.02 |
| 1987 | $20.31 | −7.3% | $59.92 |
| 1986 | $15.10 | −31.1% | $46.46 |
“—” 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 August 1996.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Aug 1, 1996 – Aug 30, 1996 | Aug 30, 1996 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Aug 1, 1996 – Aug 30, 1996 | Aug 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)