Oil Prices in October 1996: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
At $24.88 per barrel, October 1996's WTI average was the highest monthly average in nominal terms since January 1991, up $0.91 (3.8%) from September 1996. The average was 43% above the $17.43 of October 1995.
Daily spot prices, October 1996
Chart data table (23 rows; WTI on 23, Brent on 23)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 1996 | $23.25 | $22.80 |
| Oct 30, 1996 | $24.40 | $23.15 |
| Oct 29, 1996 | $24.15 | $23.30 |
| Oct 28, 1996 | $24.75 | $24.45 |
| Oct 25, 1996 | $24.80 | $24.13 |
| Oct 24, 1996 | $24.55 | $24.28 |
| Oct 23, 1996 | $24.78 | $24.60 |
| Oct 22, 1996 | $25.79 | $25.40 |
| Oct 21, 1996 | $25.85 | $25.08 |
| Oct 18, 1996 | $25.80 | $25.18 |
| Oct 17, 1996 | $25.40 | $24.83 |
| Oct 16, 1996 | $25.10 | $24.50 |
| Oct 15, 1996 | $25.45 | $24.58 |
| Oct 14, 1996 | $25.50 | $24.75 |
| Oct 11, 1996 | $24.65 | $23.85 |
| Oct 10, 1996 | $24.30 | $23.63 |
| Oct 9, 1996 | $25.00 | $24.58 |
| Oct 8, 1996 | $25.45 | $24.55 |
| Oct 7, 1996 | $25.25 | $24.28 |
| Oct 4, 1996 | $24.75 | $23.88 |
| Oct 3, 1996 | $24.85 | $23.63 |
| Oct 2, 1996 | $24.05 | $23.13 |
| Oct 1, 1996 | $24.35 | $23.18 |
The month's range ran from $23.25 on Oct 31, 1996 to $25.85 on Oct 21, 1996; the last price was $23.25 on Oct 31, 1996. The largest one-day move was −$1.15 on Oct 31, 1996 (−4.7%).
Brent averaged $24.16, within a dollar of WTI on average across the 23 dates when both were published.
Among the 41 October averages EIA has published, 1996's ranks 14th lowest. Within 1996 it ranks 2nd highest of the 12 monthly averages. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $53.05 and the high of $25.85 equals $55.11.
October 1996 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $24.88 | $24.16 |
| Change vs September 1996 | +$0.91 | +$1.53 |
| Change vs October 1995 | +$7.45 | +$8.05 |
| Highest daily price | $25.85 Oct 21, 1996 | $25.40 Oct 22, 1996 |
| Lowest daily price | $23.25 Oct 31, 1996 | $22.80 Oct 31, 1996 |
| Published daily observations | 23 | 23 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $53.05 | $51.51 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for October 1996.
October in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs October 1996 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $102.07 | +310.2% | $102.07 |
| 2025 | $60.89 | +144.7% | — |
| 2024 | $71.99 | +189.3% | $76.97 |
| 2023 | $85.64 | +244.2% | $93.95 |
| 2022 | $87.55 | +251.9% | $99.15 |
| 2021 | $81.48 | +227.5% | $99.43 |
| 2020 | $39.40 | +58.4% | $51.07 |
| 2019 | $53.96 | +116.9% | $70.77 |
| 2018 | $70.75 | +184.4% | $94.43 |
| 2017 | $51.58 | +107.3% | $70.58 |
| 2016 | $49.78 | +100.1% | $69.50 |
| 2015 | $46.22 | +85.8% | $65.59 |
| 2014 | $84.40 | +239.2% | $119.97 |
| 2013 | $100.54 | +304.1% | $145.30 |
| 2012 | $89.49 | +259.7% | $130.57 |
| 2011 | $86.32 | +246.9% | $128.67 |
| 2010 | $81.89 | +229.1% | $126.37 |
| 2009 | $75.72 | +204.3% | $118.22 |
| 2008 | $76.61 | +207.9% | $119.39 |
| 2007 | $85.80 | +244.9% | $138.60 |
| 2006 | $58.89 | +136.7% | $98.49 |
| 2005 | $62.26 | +150.2% | $105.49 |
| 2004 | $53.28 | +114.1% | $94.20 |
| 2003 | $30.34 | +21.9% | $55.35 |
| 2002 | $28.84 | +15.9% | $53.69 |
| 2001 | $22.17 | −10.9% | $42.11 |
| 2000 | $33.11 | +33.1% | $64.22 |
| 1999 | $22.69 | −8.8% | $45.53 |
| 1998 | $14.46 | −41.9% | $29.76 |
| 1997 | $21.33 | −14.3% | $44.55 |
| 1996 | $24.88 | — | $53.05 |
| 1995 | $17.43 | −29.9% | $38.27 |
| 1994 | $17.72 | −28.8% | $40.00 |
| 1993 | $18.15 | −27.0% | $42.04 |
| 1992 | $21.69 | −12.8% | $51.63 |
| 1991 | $23.23 | −6.6% | $57.06 |
| 1990 | $36.04 | +44.9% | $91.12 |
| 1989 | $20.10 | −19.2% | $54.01 |
| 1988 | $13.77 | −44.7% | $38.66 |
| 1987 | $19.86 | −20.2% | $58.14 |
| 1986 | $14.90 | −40.1% | $45.59 |
“—” 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 October 1996.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Oct 1, 1996 – Oct 31, 1996 | Oct 31, 1996 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Oct 1, 1996 – Oct 31, 1996 | Oct 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)