Oil Prices in April 1997: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
At $19.70 per barrel, April 1997's WTI average was the lowest monthly average in nominal terms since February 1996, down $1.27 (6.1%) from March 1997. A year earlier, in April 1996, it averaged $23.50, so the price was lower by $3.80 (16.2%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, April 1997
Chart data table (22 rows; WTI on 22, Brent on 22)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 30, 1997 | $20.20 | $18.25 |
| Apr 29, 1997 | $20.40 | $18.27 |
| Apr 28, 1997 | $19.85 | $17.92 |
| Apr 25, 1997 | $19.80 | $18.07 |
| Apr 24, 1997 | $19.85 | $17.80 |
| Apr 23, 1997 | $19.65 | $17.46 |
| Apr 22, 1997 | $19.60 | $17.72 |
| Apr 21, 1997 | $20.35 | $17.74 |
| Apr 18, 1997 | $19.90 | $17.26 |
| Apr 17, 1997 | $19.50 | $17.00 |
| Apr 16, 1997 | $19.35 | $17.24 |
| Apr 15, 1997 | $19.60 | $17.53 |
| Apr 14, 1997 | $19.90 | $17.61 |
| Apr 11, 1997 | $19.50 | $17.54 |
| Apr 10, 1997 | $19.55 | $17.25 |
| Apr 9, 1997 | $19.25 | $17.02 |
| Apr 8, 1997 | $19.35 | $16.98 |
| Apr 7, 1997 | $19.25 | $16.92 |
| Apr 4, 1997 | $19.15 | $17.25 |
| Apr 3, 1997 | $19.45 | $17.28 |
| Apr 2, 1997 | $19.55 | $17.97 |
| Apr 1, 1997 | $20.30 | $18.15 |
Prices dipped to $19.15 on Apr 4, 1997, then climbed to $20.40 on Apr 29, 1997 and ended at $20.20.
Brent averaged $17.56, on matched dates $2.14 below WTI on average across 22 dates.
Among the 41 April averages EIA has published, 1997's ranks 9th lowest. Within 1997 it ranks 4th lowest of the 12 monthly averages. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $41.50 and the high of $20.40 equals $42.98.
April 1997 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $19.70 | $17.56 |
| Change vs March 1997 | −$1.27 | −$1.57 |
| Change vs April 1996 | −$3.80 | −$3.34 |
| Highest daily price | $20.40 Apr 29, 1997 | $18.27 Apr 29, 1997 |
| Lowest daily price | $19.15 Apr 4, 1997 | $16.92 Apr 7, 1997 |
| Published daily observations | 22 | 22 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $41.50 | $37.00 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for April 1997.
April in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs April 1997 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $100.32 | +409.2% | $101.67 |
| 2025 | $63.54 | +222.5% | $66.85 |
| 2024 | $85.35 | +333.2% | $91.87 |
| 2023 | $79.45 | +303.3% | $88.39 |
| 2022 | $101.78 | +416.6% | $118.82 |
| 2021 | $61.72 | +213.3% | $78.00 |
| 2020 | $16.55 | −16.0% | $21.79 |
| 2019 | $63.86 | +224.2% | $84.34 |
| 2018 | $66.25 | +236.3% | $89.25 |
| 2017 | $51.06 | +159.2% | $70.48 |
| 2016 | $40.75 | +106.9% | $57.48 |
| 2015 | $54.45 | +176.4% | $77.67 |
| 2014 | $102.07 | +418.1% | $145.31 |
| 2013 | $92.02 | +367.1% | $133.56 |
| 2012 | $103.32 | +424.5% | $151.56 |
| 2011 | $109.53 | +456.0% | $164.37 |
| 2010 | $84.29 | +327.9% | $130.49 |
| 2009 | $49.65 | +152.0% | $78.58 |
| 2008 | $112.58 | +471.5% | $176.88 |
| 2007 | $63.98 | +224.8% | $104.48 |
| 2006 | $69.44 | +252.5% | $116.31 |
| 2005 | $52.98 | +168.9% | $91.89 |
| 2004 | $36.75 | +86.5% | $65.98 |
| 2003 | $28.17 | +43.0% | $51.73 |
| 2002 | $26.18 | +32.9% | $49.14 |
| 2001 | $27.49 | +39.5% | $52.45 |
| 2000 | $25.72 | +30.6% | $50.68 |
| 1999 | $17.31 | −12.1% | $35.15 |
| 1998 | $15.35 | −22.1% | $31.88 |
| 1997 | $19.70 | — | $41.50 |
| 1996 | $23.50 | +19.3% | $50.75 |
| 1995 | $19.90 | +1.0% | $44.22 |
| 1994 | $16.42 | −16.6% | $37.60 |
| 1993 | $20.25 | +2.8% | $47.46 |
| 1992 | $20.23 | +2.7% | $48.95 |
| 1991 | $20.83 | +5.7% | $52.00 |
| 1990 | $18.43 | −6.4% | $48.26 |
| 1989 | $21.07 | +7.0% | $57.77 |
| 1988 | $17.86 | −9.3% | $51.48 |
| 1987 | $18.68 | −5.2% | $55.94 |
| 1986 | $12.84 | −34.8% | $39.90 |
“—” 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 April 1997.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Apr 1, 1997 – Apr 30, 1997 | Apr 30, 1997 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Apr 1, 1997 – Apr 30, 1997 | Apr 30, 1997 |
| 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:1997 daily prices (CSV)