Oil Prices in January 1996: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $18.86 per barrel in January 1996, little changed from December 1995 ($19.03). A year earlier, in January 1995, it averaged $18.04, so the price was higher by $0.82 (4.5%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, January 1996
Chart data table (22 rows; WTI on 22, Brent on 22)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 31, 1996 | $17.76 | $16.63 |
| Jan 30, 1996 | $17.65 | $16.53 |
| Jan 29, 1996 | $17.33 | $16.23 |
| Jan 26, 1996 | $17.68 | $16.70 |
| Jan 25, 1996 | $18.06 | $17.00 |
| Jan 24, 1996 | $18.95 | $17.33 |
| Jan 23, 1996 | $18.58 | $17.38 |
| Jan 22, 1996 | $18.49 | $17.53 |
| Jan 19, 1996 | $18.94 | $17.53 |
| Jan 18, 1996 | $19.12 | $17.88 |
| Jan 17, 1996 | $18.58 | $17.43 |
| Jan 16, 1996 | $18.12 | $17.73 |
| Jan 15, 1996 | $18.42 | $17.50 |
| Jan 12, 1996 | $18.28 | $17.58 |
| Jan 11, 1996 | $18.87 | $17.85 |
| Jan 10, 1996 | $19.66 | $18.48 |
| Jan 9, 1996 | $19.86 | $19.05 |
| Jan 8, 1996 | $20.50 | $19.68 |
| Jan 5, 1996 | $20.26 | $19.50 |
| Jan 4, 1996 | $19.96 | $19.13 |
| Jan 3, 1996 | $19.90 | $19.15 |
| Jan 2, 1996 | $19.83 | $18.95 |
Prices fell over the month, from $19.83 on Jan 2, 1996 to $17.76 on Jan 31, 1996. The largest one-day move was −$0.89 on Jan 25, 1996 (−4.7%).
Brent averaged $17.85, on matched dates $1.00 below WTI on average across 22 dates.
Among the 41 January averages EIA has published, 1996's ranks 9th lowest. Within 1996 it ranks the lowest of the 12 monthly averages. The high was $20.50 on Jan 8, 1996 and the low $17.33 on Jan 29, 1996. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $41.23 and the high of $20.50 equals $44.81.
January 1996 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $18.86 | $17.85 |
| Change vs December 1995 | −$0.17 | −$0.08 |
| Change vs January 1995 | +$0.82 | +$1.30 |
| Highest daily price | $20.50 Jan 8, 1996 | $19.68 Jan 8, 1996 |
| Lowest daily price | $17.33 Jan 29, 1996 | $16.23 Jan 29, 1996 |
| Published daily observations | 22 | 22 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $41.23 | $39.02 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for January 1996.
January in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs January 1996 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $60.04 | +218.3% | $62.30 |
| 2025 | $75.74 | +301.6% | $80.47 |
| 2024 | $74.15 | +293.2% | $81.14 |
| 2023 | $78.12 | +314.2% | $88.13 |
| 2022 | $83.22 | +341.3% | $99.90 |
| 2021 | $52.00 | +175.7% | $67.09 |
| 2020 | $57.52 | +205.0% | $75.26 |
| 2019 | $51.38 | +172.4% | $68.89 |
| 2018 | $63.70 | +237.8% | $86.74 |
| 2017 | $52.50 | +178.4% | $72.97 |
| 2016 | $31.68 | +68.0% | $45.13 |
| 2015 | $47.22 | +150.4% | $68.19 |
| 2014 | $94.62 | +401.7% | $136.52 |
| 2013 | $94.76 | +402.4% | $138.89 |
| 2012 | $100.27 | +431.7% | $149.31 |
| 2011 | $89.17 | +372.8% | $136.66 |
| 2010 | $78.33 | +315.3% | $122.01 |
| 2009 | $41.71 | +121.2% | $66.67 |
| 2008 | $92.97 | +392.9% | $148.66 |
| 2007 | $54.51 | +189.0% | $90.89 |
| 2006 | $65.49 | +247.2% | $111.47 |
| 2005 | $46.84 | +148.4% | $82.90 |
| 2004 | $34.31 | +81.9% | $62.53 |
| 2003 | $32.95 | +74.7% | $61.21 |
| 2002 | $19.72 | +4.6% | $37.58 |
| 2001 | $29.59 | +56.9% | $57.04 |
| 2000 | $27.26 | +44.5% | $54.51 |
| 1999 | $12.52 | −33.6% | $25.72 |
| 1998 | $16.72 | −11.3% | $34.92 |
| 1997 | $25.13 | +33.2% | $53.31 |
| 1996 | $18.86 | — | $41.23 |
| 1995 | $18.04 | −4.3% | $40.51 |
| 1994 | $15.03 | −20.3% | $34.70 |
| 1993 | $19.03 | +0.9% | $45.04 |
| 1992 | $18.79 | −0.4% | $45.92 |
| 1991 | $25.23 | +33.8% | $63.26 |
| 1990 | $22.86 | +21.2% | $60.56 |
| 1989 | $18.02 | −4.5% | $50.22 |
| 1988 | $17.13 | −9.2% | $49.97 |
| 1987 | $18.65 | −1.1% | $56.61 |
| 1986 | $22.93 | +21.6% | $70.61 |
“—” 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 January 1996.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Jan 2, 1996 – Jan 31, 1996 | Jan 31, 1996 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Jan 2, 1996 – Jan 31, 1996 | Jan 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)