Oil Prices in February 1996: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $19.09 per barrel in February 1996, little changed from January 1996 ($18.86). It was within 3% of its level a year earlier ($18.57 in February 1995).
Daily spot prices, February 1996
Chart data table (21 rows; WTI on 20, Brent on 21)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 29, 1996 | $19.59 | $18.80 |
| Feb 28, 1996 | $19.30 | $18.65 |
| Feb 27, 1996 | $19.65 | $19.00 |
| Feb 26, 1996 | $19.45 | $18.85 |
| Feb 23, 1996 | $20.97 | $18.85 |
| Feb 22, 1996 | $22.14 | $19.28 |
| Feb 21, 1996 | $21.63 | $19.05 |
| Feb 20, 1996 | $21.07 | $18.58 |
| Feb 19, 1996 | — | $18.20 |
| Feb 16, 1996 | $19.16 | $18.20 |
| Feb 15, 1996 | $19.02 | $18.18 |
| Feb 14, 1996 | $18.86 | $18.28 |
| Feb 13, 1996 | $18.96 | $18.08 |
| Feb 12, 1996 | $18.01 | $17.18 |
| Feb 9, 1996 | $17.83 | $17.23 |
| Feb 8, 1996 | $17.79 | $17.05 |
| Feb 7, 1996 | $17.71 | $16.93 |
| Feb 6, 1996 | $17.74 | $16.83 |
| Feb 5, 1996 | $17.53 | $16.93 |
| Feb 2, 1996 | $17.83 | $17.05 |
| Feb 1, 1996 | $17.63 | $16.78 |
Prices dipped to $17.53 on Feb 5, 1996, then climbed to $22.14 on Feb 22, 1996 and ended at $19.59. The largest one-day move was +$1.91 on Feb 20, 1996 (+10.0%).
Brent averaged $18.00, on matched dates $1.10 below WTI on average across 20 dates.
Among the 41 February averages EIA has published, 1996's ranks 10th lowest. Within 1996 it ranks 2nd lowest of the 12 monthly averages. WTI moved 5% or more from the previous published price on 4 days. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $41.60 and the high of $22.14 equals $48.24.
February 1996 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $19.09 | $18.00 |
| Change vs January 1996 | +$0.23 | +$0.15 |
| Change vs February 1995 | +$0.52 | +$0.89 |
| Highest daily price | $22.14 Feb 22, 1996 | $19.28 Feb 22, 1996 |
| Lowest daily price | $17.53 Feb 5, 1996 | $16.78 Feb 1, 1996 |
| Published daily observations | 20 | 21 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $41.60 | $39.22 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for February 1996.
February in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs February 1996 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $64.51 | +237.9% | $66.63 |
| 2025 | $71.53 | +274.7% | $75.66 |
| 2024 | $77.25 | +304.7% | $84.02 |
| 2023 | $76.83 | +302.5% | $86.20 |
| 2022 | $91.64 | +380.0% | $109.02 |
| 2021 | $59.04 | +209.3% | $75.76 |
| 2020 | $50.54 | +164.7% | $65.94 |
| 2019 | $54.95 | +187.8% | $73.37 |
| 2018 | $62.23 | +226.0% | $84.35 |
| 2017 | $53.47 | +180.1% | $74.08 |
| 2016 | $30.32 | +58.8% | $43.16 |
| 2015 | $50.58 | +165.0% | $72.73 |
| 2014 | $100.82 | +428.1% | $144.93 |
| 2013 | $95.31 | +399.3% | $138.56 |
| 2012 | $102.20 | +435.4% | $151.51 |
| 2011 | $88.58 | +364.0% | $135.09 |
| 2010 | $76.39 | +300.2% | $118.96 |
| 2009 | $39.09 | +104.8% | $62.18 |
| 2008 | $95.39 | +399.7% | $152.08 |
| 2007 | $59.28 | +210.5% | $98.32 |
| 2006 | $61.63 | +222.8% | $104.68 |
| 2005 | $48.15 | +152.2% | $84.73 |
| 2004 | $34.69 | +81.7% | $62.88 |
| 2003 | $35.83 | +87.7% | $66.05 |
| 2002 | $20.72 | +8.5% | $39.33 |
| 2001 | $29.61 | +55.1% | $56.85 |
| 2000 | $29.37 | +53.9% | $58.38 |
| 1999 | $12.01 | −37.1% | $24.64 |
| 1998 | $16.06 | −15.9% | $33.48 |
| 1997 | $22.18 | +16.2% | $46.90 |
| 1996 | $19.09 | — | $41.60 |
| 1995 | $18.57 | −2.7% | $41.53 |
| 1994 | $14.78 | −22.6% | $34.00 |
| 1993 | $20.09 | +5.2% | $47.38 |
| 1992 | $19.01 | −0.4% | $46.29 |
| 1991 | $20.48 | +7.3% | $51.28 |
| 1990 | $22.11 | +15.8% | $58.30 |
| 1989 | $17.94 | −6.0% | $49.79 |
| 1988 | $16.80 | −12.0% | $48.88 |
| 1987 | $17.75 | −7.0% | $53.68 |
| 1986 | $15.46 | −19.0% | $47.74 |
“—” 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 February 1996.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Feb 1, 1996 – Feb 29, 1996 | Feb 29, 1996 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Feb 1, 1996 – Feb 29, 1996 | Feb 29, 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)