Oil Prices in May 1996: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $21.17 per barrel in May 1996, down $2.33 (9.9%) from April 1996. A year earlier, in May 1995, it averaged $19.74, so the price was higher by $1.43 (7.2%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, May 1996
Chart data table (22 rows; WTI on 22, Brent on 21)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| May 31, 1996 | $19.77 | $18.10 |
| May 30, 1996 | $19.95 | $18.10 |
| May 29, 1996 | $20.65 | $18.95 |
| May 28, 1996 | $21.10 | $19.53 |
| May 24, 1996 | $21.58 | $19.73 |
| May 23, 1996 | $22.35 | $19.53 |
| May 22, 1996 | $23.02 | $19.40 |
| May 21, 1996 | $21.95 | $18.70 |
| May 20, 1996 | $22.28 | $18.63 |
| May 17, 1996 | $20.64 | $18.05 |
| May 16, 1996 | $20.79 | $18.63 |
| May 15, 1996 | $21.28 | $19.50 |
| May 14, 1996 | $21.35 | $19.63 |
| May 13, 1996 | $21.23 | $19.48 |
| May 10, 1996 | $21.01 | $19.23 |
| May 9, 1996 | $20.65 | $19.35 |
| May 8, 1996 | $21.13 | $19.85 |
| May 7, 1996 | $21.07 | $20.08 |
| May 6, 1996 | $21.06 | — |
| May 3, 1996 | $21.19 | $19.38 |
| May 2, 1996 | $20.78 | $19.45 |
| May 1, 1996 | $20.81 | $18.95 |
The month's range ran from $19.77 on May 31, 1996 to $23.02 on May 22, 1996; the last price was $19.77 on May 31, 1996. The largest one-day move was +$1.64 on May 20, 1996 (+7.9%).
Brent averaged $19.15, on matched dates $2.02 below WTI on average across 21 dates.
Among the 41 May averages EIA has published, 1996's ranks 13th lowest. Within 1996 it ranks 4th lowest of the 12 monthly averages. WTI moved 5% or more from the previous published price on 1 day. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $45.63 and the high of $23.02 equals $49.61.
May 1996 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $21.17 | $19.15 |
| Change vs April 1996 | −$2.33 | −$1.75 |
| Change vs May 1995 | +$1.43 | +$0.80 |
| Highest daily price | $23.02 May 22, 1996 | $20.08 May 7, 1996 |
| Lowest daily price | $19.77 May 31, 1996 | $18.05 May 17, 1996 |
| Published daily observations | 22 | 21 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $45.63 | $41.27 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for May 1996.
May in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs May 1996 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $102.13 | +382.4% | $102.86 |
| 2025 | $62.17 | +193.7% | $65.27 |
| 2024 | $80.02 | +278.0% | $85.99 |
| 2023 | $71.58 | +238.1% | $79.44 |
| 2022 | $109.55 | +417.5% | $126.50 |
| 2021 | $65.17 | +207.8% | $81.71 |
| 2020 | $28.56 | +34.9% | $37.60 |
| 2019 | $60.83 | +187.3% | $80.17 |
| 2018 | $69.98 | +230.6% | $93.88 |
| 2017 | $48.48 | +129.0% | $66.86 |
| 2016 | $46.71 | +120.6% | $65.63 |
| 2015 | $59.27 | +180.0% | $84.12 |
| 2014 | $102.18 | +382.7% | $144.96 |
| 2013 | $94.51 | +346.4% | $136.93 |
| 2012 | $94.66 | +347.1% | $139.02 |
| 2011 | $100.90 | +376.6% | $150.71 |
| 2010 | $73.74 | +248.3% | $114.07 |
| 2009 | $59.03 | +178.8% | $93.16 |
| 2008 | $125.40 | +492.3% | $195.37 |
| 2007 | $63.46 | +199.8% | $103.00 |
| 2006 | $70.84 | +234.6% | $118.07 |
| 2005 | $49.83 | +135.4% | $86.51 |
| 2004 | $40.28 | +90.3% | $71.89 |
| 2003 | $28.11 | +32.8% | $51.70 |
| 2002 | $27.04 | +27.7% | $50.76 |
| 2001 | $28.63 | +35.2% | $54.38 |
| 2000 | $28.79 | +36.0% | $56.66 |
| 1999 | $17.72 | −16.3% | $35.98 |
| 1998 | $14.91 | −29.6% | $30.91 |
| 1997 | $20.82 | −1.7% | $43.89 |
| 1996 | $21.17 | — | $45.63 |
| 1995 | $19.74 | −6.8% | $43.77 |
| 1994 | $17.89 | −15.5% | $40.94 |
| 1993 | $19.95 | −5.8% | $46.69 |
| 1992 | $20.98 | −0.9% | $50.69 |
| 1991 | $21.23 | +0.3% | $52.84 |
| 1990 | $18.20 | −14.0% | $47.54 |
| 1989 | $20.12 | −5.0% | $54.85 |
| 1988 | $17.42 | −17.7% | $50.04 |
| 1987 | $19.44 | −8.2% | $58.01 |
| 1986 | $15.38 | −27.4% | $47.67 |
“—” 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 May 1996.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | May 1, 1996 – May 31, 1996 | May 31, 1996 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | May 1, 1996 – May 31, 1996 | May 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)