Oil Prices in February 1997: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI's monthly average fell to $22.18 in February 1997, down $2.95 (11.7%) from January 1997. A year earlier, in February 1996, it averaged $19.09, so the price was higher by $3.09 (16.2%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, February 1997
Chart data table (20 rows; WTI on 19, Brent on 19)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 28, 1997 | $20.30 | $19.44 |
| Feb 27, 1997 | $20.80 | $19.96 |
| Feb 26, 1997 | $21.10 | $19.82 |
| Feb 25, 1997 | $20.95 | $20.08 |
| Feb 24, 1997 | $21.00 | $19.87 |
| Feb 21, 1997 | $21.60 | $20.13 |
| Feb 20, 1997 | $21.95 | $20.57 |
| Feb 19, 1997 | $22.65 | $20.98 |
| Feb 18, 1997 | $22.50 | $20.56 |
| Feb 17, 1997 | — | $20.48 |
| Feb 14, 1997 | $22.40 | $20.56 |
| Feb 13, 1997 | $22.10 | $20.47 |
| Feb 12, 1997 | $21.75 | $21.15 |
| Feb 11, 1997 | $22.35 | $21.25 |
| Feb 10, 1997 | $22.45 | $20.73 |
| Feb 7, 1997 | $22.30 | — |
| Feb 6, 1997 | $23.05 | $21.86 |
| Feb 5, 1997 | $23.90 | $22.69 |
| Feb 4, 1997 | $24.00 | $22.65 |
| Feb 3, 1997 | $24.20 | $22.91 |
Prices fell over the month, from $24.20 on Feb 3, 1997 to $20.30 on Feb 28, 1997, with declines on 12 of 19 trading days.
Brent averaged $20.85, on matched dates $1.30 below WTI on average across 18 dates.
Among the 41 February averages EIA has published, 1997's ranks 15th lowest. Within 1997 it ranks 2nd highest of the 12 monthly averages. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $46.90 and the high of $24.20 equals $51.18.
February 1997 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $22.18 | $20.85 |
| Change vs January 1997 | −$2.95 | −$2.69 |
| Change vs February 1996 | +$3.09 | +$2.85 |
| Highest daily price | $24.20 Feb 3, 1997 | $22.91 Feb 3, 1997 |
| Lowest daily price | $20.30 Feb 28, 1997 | $19.44 Feb 28, 1997 |
| Published daily observations | 19 | 19 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $46.90 | $44.09 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for February 1997.
February in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs February 1997 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $64.51 | +190.8% | $66.63 |
| 2025 | $71.53 | +222.5% | $75.66 |
| 2024 | $77.25 | +248.3% | $84.02 |
| 2023 | $76.83 | +246.4% | $86.20 |
| 2022 | $91.64 | +313.2% | $109.02 |
| 2021 | $59.04 | +166.2% | $75.76 |
| 2020 | $50.54 | +127.9% | $65.94 |
| 2019 | $54.95 | +147.7% | $73.37 |
| 2018 | $62.23 | +180.6% | $84.35 |
| 2017 | $53.47 | +141.1% | $74.08 |
| 2016 | $30.32 | +36.7% | $43.16 |
| 2015 | $50.58 | +128.0% | $72.73 |
| 2014 | $100.82 | +354.6% | $144.93 |
| 2013 | $95.31 | +329.7% | $138.56 |
| 2012 | $102.20 | +360.8% | $151.51 |
| 2011 | $88.58 | +299.4% | $135.09 |
| 2010 | $76.39 | +244.4% | $118.96 |
| 2009 | $39.09 | +76.2% | $62.18 |
| 2008 | $95.39 | +330.1% | $152.08 |
| 2007 | $59.28 | +167.3% | $98.32 |
| 2006 | $61.63 | +177.9% | $104.68 |
| 2005 | $48.15 | +117.1% | $84.73 |
| 2004 | $34.69 | +56.4% | $62.88 |
| 2003 | $35.83 | +61.5% | $66.05 |
| 2002 | $20.72 | −6.6% | $39.33 |
| 2001 | $29.61 | +33.5% | $56.85 |
| 2000 | $29.37 | +32.4% | $58.38 |
| 1999 | $12.01 | −45.9% | $24.64 |
| 1998 | $16.06 | −27.6% | $33.48 |
| 1997 | $22.18 | — | $46.90 |
| 1996 | $19.09 | −13.9% | $41.60 |
| 1995 | $18.57 | −16.3% | $41.53 |
| 1994 | $14.78 | −33.4% | $34.00 |
| 1993 | $20.09 | −9.4% | $47.38 |
| 1992 | $19.01 | −14.3% | $46.29 |
| 1991 | $20.48 | −7.7% | $51.28 |
| 1990 | $22.11 | −0.3% | $58.30 |
| 1989 | $17.94 | −19.1% | $49.79 |
| 1988 | $16.80 | −24.3% | $48.88 |
| 1987 | $17.75 | −20.0% | $53.68 |
| 1986 | $15.46 | −30.3% | $47.74 |
“—” 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 February 1997.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Feb 3, 1997 – Feb 28, 1997 | Feb 28, 1997 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Feb 3, 1997 – Feb 28, 1997 | Feb 28, 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)