Oil Prices in September 1996: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
At $23.97 per barrel, September 1996's WTI average was the highest monthly average in nominal terms since January 1991, up $2.07 (9.5%) from August 1996. The average was 31% above the $18.23 of September 1995.
Daily spot prices, September 1996
Chart data table (21 rows; WTI on 20, Brent on 21)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 30, 1996 | $24.20 | $24.15 |
| Sep 27, 1996 | $24.60 | $22.90 |
| Sep 26, 1996 | $24.05 | $23.35 |
| Sep 25, 1996 | $24.60 | $23.05 |
| Sep 24, 1996 | $24.55 | $22.78 |
| Sep 23, 1996 | $23.83 | $22.15 |
| Sep 20, 1996 | $23.60 | $21.78 |
| Sep 19, 1996 | $23.45 | $22.08 |
| Sep 18, 1996 | $23.85 | $22.38 |
| Sep 17, 1996 | $23.40 | $21.70 |
| Sep 16, 1996 | $23.30 | $22.60 |
| Sep 13, 1996 | $24.50 | $23.83 |
| Sep 12, 1996 | $24.95 | $23.35 |
| Sep 11, 1996 | $24.75 | $23.30 |
| Sep 10, 1996 | $24.15 | $22.68 |
| Sep 9, 1996 | $23.75 | $22.25 |
| Sep 6, 1996 | $23.85 | $22.43 |
| Sep 5, 1996 | $23.45 | $22.15 |
| Sep 4, 1996 | $23.25 | $22.20 |
| Sep 3, 1996 | $23.35 | $21.90 |
| Sep 2, 1996 | — | $22.23 |
Prices dipped to $23.25 on Sep 4, 1996, then climbed to $24.95 on Sep 12, 1996 and ended at $24.20. The largest one-day move was −$1.20 on Sep 16, 1996 (−4.9%).
Brent averaged $22.63, on matched dates $1.32 below WTI on average across 20 dates.
Among the 41 September averages EIA has published, 1996's ranks 13th lowest. Within 1996 it ranks 3rd highest of the 12 monthly averages. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $51.27 and the high of $24.95 equals $53.36.
September 1996 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $23.97 | $22.63 |
| Change vs August 1996 | +$2.07 | +$2.12 |
| Change vs September 1995 | +$5.74 | +$5.93 |
| Highest daily price | $24.95 Sep 12, 1996 | $24.15 Sep 30, 1996 |
| Lowest daily price | $23.25 Sep 4, 1996 | $21.70 Sep 17, 1996 |
| Published daily observations | 20 | 21 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $51.27 | $48.40 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for September 1996.
September in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs September 1996 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $97.31 | +306.0% | $97.47 |
| 2025 | $63.96 | +166.8% | $66.46 |
| 2024 | $70.24 | +193.0% | $75.19 |
| 2023 | $89.43 | +273.1% | $98.07 |
| 2022 | $84.26 | +251.5% | $95.82 |
| 2021 | $71.65 | +198.9% | $88.16 |
| 2020 | $39.63 | +65.3% | $51.39 |
| 2019 | $56.95 | +137.6% | $74.86 |
| 2018 | $70.23 | +193.0% | $93.90 |
| 2017 | $49.82 | +107.8% | $68.13 |
| 2016 | $45.18 | +88.5% | $63.16 |
| 2015 | $45.48 | +89.7% | $64.51 |
| 2014 | $93.21 | +288.9% | $132.17 |
| 2013 | $106.29 | +343.4% | $153.21 |
| 2012 | $94.51 | +294.3% | $137.84 |
| 2011 | $85.52 | +256.8% | $127.22 |
| 2010 | $75.24 | +213.9% | $116.25 |
| 2009 | $69.41 | +189.6% | $108.47 |
| 2008 | $104.11 | +334.3% | $160.61 |
| 2007 | $79.92 | +233.4% | $129.38 |
| 2006 | $63.80 | +166.2% | $106.13 |
| 2005 | $65.59 | +173.6% | $111.35 |
| 2004 | $45.94 | +91.7% | $81.65 |
| 2003 | $28.31 | +18.1% | $51.59 |
| 2002 | $29.66 | +23.7% | $55.31 |
| 2001 | $26.20 | +9.3% | $49.59 |
| 2000 | $33.88 | +41.3% | $65.83 |
| 1999 | $23.80 | −0.7% | $47.84 |
| 1998 | $15.03 | −37.3% | $31.01 |
| 1997 | $19.80 | −17.4% | $41.46 |
| 1996 | $23.97 | — | $51.27 |
| 1995 | $18.23 | −23.9% | $40.16 |
| 1994 | $17.45 | −27.2% | $39.42 |
| 1993 | $17.50 | −27.0% | $40.71 |
| 1992 | $21.88 | −8.7% | $52.26 |
| 1991 | $21.89 | −8.7% | $53.85 |
| 1990 | $33.51 | +39.8% | $85.23 |
| 1989 | $19.59 | −18.3% | $52.89 |
| 1988 | $14.54 | −39.3% | $40.96 |
| 1987 | $19.53 | −18.5% | $57.32 |
| 1986 | $14.87 | −38.0% | $45.54 |
“—” 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 September 1996.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Sep 3, 1996 – Sep 30, 1996 | Sep 30, 1996 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Sep 2, 1996 – Sep 30, 1996 | Sep 30, 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)