Oil Prices in December 1996: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
At $25.23 per barrel, December 1996's WTI average was the highest monthly average in nominal terms since January 1991, up $1.52 (6.4%) from November 1996. The average was 33% above the $19.03 of December 1995.
Daily spot prices, December 1996
Chart data table (21 rows; WTI on 21, Brent on 20)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 1996 | $25.90 | $23.90 |
| Dec 30, 1996 | $25.35 | $23.95 |
| Dec 27, 1996 | $25.20 | $23.55 |
| Dec 26, 1996 | $25.10 | — |
| Dec 24, 1996 | $25.05 | $23.66 |
| Dec 23, 1996 | $26.40 | $23.51 |
| Dec 20, 1996 | $26.10 | $23.96 |
| Dec 19, 1996 | $26.55 | $24.18 |
| Dec 18, 1996 | $26.05 | $23.69 |
| Dec 17, 1996 | $25.70 | $24.05 |
| Dec 16, 1996 | $25.70 | $23.98 |
| Dec 13, 1996 | $24.45 | $22.83 |
| Dec 12, 1996 | $23.75 | $22.65 |
| Dec 11, 1996 | $23.40 | $22.95 |
| Dec 10, 1996 | $24.25 | $23.74 |
| Dec 9, 1996 | $25.15 | $24.18 |
| Dec 6, 1996 | $25.60 | $24.56 |
| Dec 5, 1996 | $25.60 | $24.49 |
| Dec 4, 1996 | $25.00 | $24.21 |
| Dec 3, 1996 | $24.80 | $24.12 |
| Dec 2, 1996 | $24.70 | $23.50 |
Prices dipped to $23.40 on Dec 11, 1996, then climbed to $26.55 on Dec 19, 1996 and ended at $25.90. The largest one-day move was −$1.35 on Dec 24, 1996 (−5.1%).
Brent averaged $23.78, on matched dates $1.45 below WTI on average across 20 dates.
Among the 40 December averages EIA has published, 1996's ranks 13th lowest. Within 1996 it ranks the highest of the 12 monthly averages. WTI moved 5% or more from the previous published price on 2 days. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $53.69 and the high of $26.55 equals $56.50.
December 1996 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $25.23 | $23.78 |
| Change vs November 1996 | +$1.52 | +$1.02 |
| Change vs December 1995 | +$6.20 | +$5.85 |
| Highest daily price | $26.55 Dec 19, 1996 | $24.56 Dec 6, 1996 |
| Lowest daily price | $23.40 Dec 11, 1996 | $22.65 Dec 12, 1996 |
| Published daily observations | 21 | 20 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $53.69 | $50.61 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for December 1996.
December in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs December 1996 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $57.97 | +129.8% | $60.38 |
| 2024 | $70.12 | +177.9% | $74.99 |
| 2023 | $71.90 | +185.0% | $79.11 |
| 2022 | $76.44 | +203.0% | $86.93 |
| 2021 | $71.71 | +184.2% | $86.81 |
| 2020 | $47.02 | +86.4% | $60.93 |
| 2019 | $59.88 | +137.3% | $78.65 |
| 2018 | $49.52 | +96.3% | $66.53 |
| 2017 | $57.88 | +129.4% | $79.24 |
| 2016 | $51.97 | +106.0% | $72.65 |
| 2015 | $37.19 | +47.4% | $53.07 |
| 2014 | $59.29 | +135.0% | $85.22 |
| 2013 | $97.63 | +287.0% | $141.39 |
| 2012 | $87.86 | +248.2% | $129.15 |
| 2011 | $98.56 | +290.6% | $147.40 |
| 2010 | $89.15 | +253.3% | $137.28 |
| 2009 | $74.47 | +195.2% | $116.39 |
| 2008 | $41.12 | +63.0% | $66.02 |
| 2007 | $91.69 | +263.4% | $147.34 |
| 2006 | $61.96 | +145.6% | $103.63 |
| 2005 | $59.41 | +135.5% | $101.89 |
| 2004 | $43.15 | +71.0% | $76.53 |
| 2003 | $32.13 | +27.3% | $58.84 |
| 2002 | $29.46 | +16.8% | $54.96 |
| 2001 | $19.39 | −23.1% | $37.04 |
| 2000 | $28.44 | +12.7% | $55.17 |
| 1999 | $26.10 | +3.4% | $52.34 |
| 1998 | $11.35 | −55.0% | $23.37 |
| 1997 | $18.33 | −27.3% | $38.35 |
| 1996 | $25.23 | — | $53.69 |
| 1995 | $19.03 | −24.6% | $41.84 |
| 1994 | $17.16 | −32.0% | $38.69 |
| 1993 | $14.52 | −42.4% | $33.61 |
| 1992 | $19.41 | −23.1% | $46.17 |
| 1991 | $19.50 | −22.7% | $47.73 |
| 1990 | $27.28 | +8.1% | $68.81 |
| 1989 | $21.10 | −16.4% | $56.47 |
| 1988 | $16.38 | −35.1% | $45.88 |
| 1987 | $17.28 | −31.5% | $50.54 |
| 1986 | $16.11 | −36.1% | $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 1996.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Dec 2, 1996 – Dec 31, 1996 | Dec 31, 1996 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Dec 2, 1996 – Dec 31, 1996 | Dec 31, 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)