Oil Prices in March 1996: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI's monthly average rose to $21.33 in March 1996, up $2.24 (11.7%) from February 1996, the highest monthly average in nominal terms since October 1992. A year earlier, in March 1995, it averaged $18.54, so the price was higher by $2.79 (15.0%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, March 1996
Chart data table (21 rows; WTI on 21, Brent on 21)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 29, 1996 | $21.43 | $20.33 |
| Mar 28, 1996 | $21.45 | $20.25 |
| Mar 27, 1996 | $21.64 | $21.33 |
| Mar 26, 1996 | $22.38 | $21.68 |
| Mar 25, 1996 | $23.23 | $21.30 |
| Mar 22, 1996 | $22.85 | $21.15 |
| Mar 21, 1996 | $22.44 | $20.35 |
| Mar 20, 1996 | $22.74 | $20.38 |
| Mar 19, 1996 | $24.56 | $20.35 |
| Mar 18, 1996 | $23.23 | $20.50 |
| Mar 15, 1996 | $21.99 | $19.30 |
| Mar 14, 1996 | $21.18 | $19.40 |
| Mar 13, 1996 | $20.49 | $19.58 |
| Mar 12, 1996 | $20.42 | $19.30 |
| Mar 11, 1996 | $19.92 | $18.93 |
| Mar 8, 1996 | $19.66 | $18.85 |
| Mar 7, 1996 | $19.87 | $19.03 |
| Mar 6, 1996 | $20.16 | $19.18 |
| Mar 5, 1996 | $19.65 | $18.75 |
| Mar 4, 1996 | $19.24 | $18.40 |
| Mar 1, 1996 | $19.45 | $18.55 |
Prices dipped to $19.24 on Mar 4, 1996, then climbed to $24.56 on Mar 19, 1996 and ended at $21.43. The largest one-day move was −$1.82 on Mar 20, 1996 (−7.4%).
Brent averaged $19.85, on matched dates $1.48 below WTI on average across 21 dates.
Among the 41 March averages EIA has published, 1996's ranks 14th lowest. Within 1996 it ranks 6th lowest of the 12 monthly averages. WTI moved 5% or more from the previous published price on 3 days. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $46.24 and the high of $24.56 equals $53.24.
March 1996 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $21.33 | $19.85 |
| Change vs February 1996 | +$2.24 | +$1.85 |
| Change vs March 1995 | +$2.79 | +$2.84 |
| Highest daily price | $24.56 Mar 19, 1996 | $21.68 Mar 26, 1996 |
| Lowest daily price | $19.24 Mar 4, 1996 | $18.40 Mar 4, 1996 |
| Published daily observations | 21 | 21 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $46.24 | $43.03 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for March 1996.
March in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs March 1996 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $91.38 | +328.4% | $93.40 |
| 2025 | $68.24 | +219.9% | $72.02 |
| 2024 | $81.28 | +281.1% | $87.83 |
| 2023 | $73.28 | +243.6% | $81.94 |
| 2022 | $108.50 | +408.7% | $127.37 |
| 2021 | $62.33 | +192.2% | $79.42 |
| 2020 | $29.21 | +36.9% | $38.19 |
| 2019 | $58.15 | +172.6% | $77.21 |
| 2018 | $62.73 | +194.1% | $84.84 |
| 2017 | $49.33 | +131.3% | $68.29 |
| 2016 | $37.55 | +76.0% | $53.22 |
| 2015 | $47.82 | +124.2% | $68.35 |
| 2014 | $100.80 | +372.6% | $143.98 |
| 2013 | $92.94 | +335.7% | $134.76 |
| 2012 | $106.16 | +397.7% | $156.20 |
| 2011 | $102.86 | +382.2% | $155.35 |
| 2010 | $81.20 | +280.7% | $125.93 |
| 2009 | $47.94 | +124.8% | $76.07 |
| 2008 | $105.45 | +394.4% | $166.68 |
| 2007 | $60.44 | +183.4% | $99.34 |
| 2006 | $62.69 | +193.9% | $105.90 |
| 2005 | $54.19 | +154.1% | $94.62 |
| 2004 | $36.74 | +72.2% | $66.17 |
| 2003 | $33.51 | +57.1% | $61.40 |
| 2002 | $24.53 | +15.0% | $46.30 |
| 2001 | $27.25 | +27.8% | $52.20 |
| 2000 | $29.84 | +39.9% | $58.83 |
| 1999 | $14.68 | −31.2% | $30.03 |
| 1998 | $15.12 | −29.1% | $31.46 |
| 1997 | $20.97 | −1.7% | $44.24 |
| 1996 | $21.33 | — | $46.24 |
| 1995 | $18.54 | −13.1% | $41.33 |
| 1994 | $14.68 | −31.2% | $33.66 |
| 1993 | $20.32 | −4.7% | $47.76 |
| 1992 | $18.92 | −11.3% | $45.84 |
| 1991 | $19.90 | −6.7% | $49.75 |
| 1990 | $20.39 | −4.4% | $53.47 |
| 1989 | $19.48 | −8.7% | $53.76 |
| 1988 | $16.20 | −24.1% | $46.93 |
| 1987 | $18.30 | −14.2% | $55.10 |
| 1986 | $12.61 | −40.9% | $39.12 |
“—” 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 March 1996.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Mar 1, 1996 – Mar 29, 1996 | Mar 29, 1996 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Mar 1, 1996 – Mar 29, 1996 | Mar 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)