Oil Prices in July 1996: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $21.30 per barrel in July 1996, up $0.88 (4.3%) from June 1996. A year earlier, in July 1995, it averaged $17.33, so the price was higher by $3.97 (22.9%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, July 1996
Chart data table (23 rows; WTI on 22, Brent on 23)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 31, 1996 | $20.46 | $19.00 |
| Jul 30, 1996 | $20.28 | $18.90 |
| Jul 29, 1996 | $20.28 | $18.99 |
| Jul 26, 1996 | $20.13 | $18.92 |
| Jul 25, 1996 | $21.05 | $19.50 |
| Jul 24, 1996 | $20.97 | $19.36 |
| Jul 23, 1996 | $21.58 | $19.50 |
| Jul 22, 1996 | $21.05 | $19.23 |
| Jul 19, 1996 | $20.95 | $19.45 |
| Jul 18, 1996 | $21.68 | $19.95 |
| Jul 17, 1996 | $21.65 | $19.75 |
| Jul 16, 1996 | $22.28 | $20.30 |
| Jul 15, 1996 | $22.43 | $20.20 |
| Jul 12, 1996 | $21.90 | $19.93 |
| Jul 11, 1996 | $21.96 | $20.01 |
| Jul 10, 1996 | $21.56 | $19.80 |
| Jul 9, 1996 | $21.52 | $19.63 |
| Jul 8, 1996 | $21.33 | $19.62 |
| Jul 5, 1996 | $21.65 | $19.99 |
| Jul 4, 1996 | — | $19.77 |
| Jul 3, 1996 | $21.38 | $19.13 |
| Jul 2, 1996 | $21.08 | $19.43 |
| Jul 1, 1996 | $21.48 | $19.77 |
Prices peaked at $22.43 on Jul 15, 1996, then fell to $20.13 on Jul 26, 1996 and ended at $20.46. The largest one-day move was −$0.92 on Jul 26, 1996 (−4.4%).
Brent averaged $19.57, on matched dates $1.74 below WTI on average across 22 dates.
Among the 41 July averages EIA has published, 1996's ranks 11th lowest. Within 1996 it ranks 5th lowest of the 12 monthly averages. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $45.79 and the high of $22.43 equals $48.22.
July 1996 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $21.30 | $19.57 |
| Change vs June 1996 | +$0.88 | +$1.11 |
| Change vs July 1995 | +$3.97 | +$3.72 |
| Highest daily price | $22.43 Jul 15, 1996 | $20.30 Jul 16, 1996 |
| Lowest daily price | $20.13 Jul 26, 1996 | $18.90 Jul 30, 1996 |
| Published daily observations | 22 | 23 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $45.79 | $42.07 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for July 1996.
July in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs July 1996 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $80.46 | +277.7% | $81.33 |
| 2025 | $68.39 | +221.1% | $71.45 |
| 2024 | $81.80 | +284.0% | $87.77 |
| 2023 | $76.07 | +257.1% | $83.99 |
| 2022 | $101.62 | +377.1% | $115.76 |
| 2021 | $72.49 | +240.3% | $89.62 |
| 2020 | $40.71 | +91.1% | $53.03 |
| 2019 | $57.35 | +169.2% | $75.44 |
| 2018 | $70.98 | +233.2% | $95.06 |
| 2017 | $46.63 | +118.9% | $64.29 |
| 2016 | $44.65 | +109.6% | $62.63 |
| 2015 | $50.90 | +139.0% | $71.98 |
| 2014 | $103.59 | +386.3% | $146.75 |
| 2013 | $104.67 | +391.4% | $151.23 |
| 2012 | $87.90 | +312.7% | $129.49 |
| 2011 | $97.30 | +356.8% | $145.36 |
| 2010 | $76.32 | +258.3% | $118.15 |
| 2009 | $64.15 | +201.2% | $100.54 |
| 2008 | $133.37 | +526.2% | $204.64 |
| 2007 | $74.12 | +248.0% | $120.10 |
| 2006 | $74.41 | +249.3% | $123.41 |
| 2005 | $59.00 | +177.0% | $101.91 |
| 2004 | $40.78 | +91.5% | $72.67 |
| 2003 | $30.76 | +44.4% | $56.45 |
| 2002 | $26.97 | +26.6% | $50.54 |
| 2001 | $26.43 | +24.1% | $50.26 |
| 2000 | $29.70 | +39.4% | $58.01 |
| 1999 | $20.10 | −5.6% | $40.70 |
| 1998 | $14.17 | −33.5% | $29.30 |
| 1997 | $19.66 | −7.7% | $41.34 |
| 1996 | $21.30 | — | $45.79 |
| 1995 | $17.33 | −18.6% | $38.35 |
| 1994 | $19.66 | −7.7% | $44.71 |
| 1993 | $17.89 | −16.0% | $41.81 |
| 1992 | $21.78 | +2.3% | $52.32 |
| 1991 | $21.40 | +0.5% | $53.03 |
| 1990 | $18.45 | −13.4% | $47.75 |
| 1989 | $19.78 | −7.1% | $53.67 |
| 1988 | $15.50 | −27.2% | $44.15 |
| 1987 | $21.34 | +0.2% | $63.29 |
| 1986 | $11.59 | −45.6% | $35.72 |
“—” 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 July 1996.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Jul 1, 1996 – Jul 31, 1996 | Jul 31, 1996 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Jul 1, 1996 – Jul 31, 1996 | Jul 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)