Oil Prices in May 1997: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $20.82 per barrel in May 1997, up $1.12 (5.7%) from April 1997. It was within 3% of its level a year earlier ($21.17 in May 1996).
Daily spot prices, May 1997
Chart data table (21 rows; WTI on 21, Brent on 21)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| May 30, 1997 | $21.00 | $18.99 |
| May 29, 1997 | $21.15 | $19.38 |
| May 28, 1997 | $20.70 | $18.88 |
| May 27, 1997 | $20.75 | $19.33 |
| May 23, 1997 | $21.25 | $20.15 |
| May 22, 1997 | $21.60 | $20.03 |
| May 21, 1997 | $21.60 | $19.70 |
| May 20, 1997 | $21.20 | $19.75 |
| May 19, 1997 | $21.50 | $19.92 |
| May 16, 1997 | $22.10 | $19.77 |
| May 15, 1997 | $21.30 | $19.40 |
| May 14, 1997 | $21.35 | $19.10 |
| May 13, 1997 | $21.10 | $19.40 |
| May 12, 1997 | $21.40 | $19.42 |
| May 9, 1997 | $20.45 | $18.62 |
| May 8, 1997 | $20.35 | $18.32 |
| May 7, 1997 | $19.60 | $17.84 |
| May 6, 1997 | $19.70 | $17.82 |
| May 5, 1997 | $19.60 | $17.72 |
| May 2, 1997 | $19.60 | $17.70 |
| May 1, 1997 | $19.90 | $18.24 |
Prices dipped to $19.60 on May 2, 1997, then climbed to $22.10 on May 16, 1997 and ended at $21.00. The largest one-day move was +$0.95 on May 12, 1997 (+4.6%).
Brent averaged $19.02, on matched dates $1.80 below WTI on average across 21 dates.
Among the 41 May averages EIA has published, 1997's ranks 11th lowest. Within 1997 it ranks 5th highest of the 12 monthly averages. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $43.89 and the high of $22.10 equals $46.59.
May 1997 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $20.82 | $19.02 |
| Change vs April 1997 | +$1.12 | +$1.46 |
| Change vs May 1996 | −$0.35 | −$0.13 |
| Highest daily price | $22.10 May 16, 1997 | $20.15 May 23, 1997 |
| Lowest daily price | $19.60 May 2, 1997 | $17.70 May 2, 1997 |
| Published daily observations | 21 | 21 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $43.89 | $40.10 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for May 1997.
May in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs May 1997 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $102.13 | +390.5% | $102.86 |
| 2025 | $62.17 | +198.6% | $65.27 |
| 2024 | $80.02 | +284.3% | $85.99 |
| 2023 | $71.58 | +243.8% | $79.44 |
| 2022 | $109.55 | +426.2% | $126.50 |
| 2021 | $65.17 | +213.0% | $81.71 |
| 2020 | $28.56 | +37.2% | $37.60 |
| 2019 | $60.83 | +192.2% | $80.17 |
| 2018 | $69.98 | +236.1% | $93.88 |
| 2017 | $48.48 | +132.9% | $66.86 |
| 2016 | $46.71 | +124.4% | $65.63 |
| 2015 | $59.27 | +184.7% | $84.12 |
| 2014 | $102.18 | +390.8% | $144.96 |
| 2013 | $94.51 | +353.9% | $136.93 |
| 2012 | $94.66 | +354.7% | $139.02 |
| 2011 | $100.90 | +384.6% | $150.71 |
| 2010 | $73.74 | +254.2% | $114.07 |
| 2009 | $59.03 | +183.5% | $93.16 |
| 2008 | $125.40 | +502.3% | $195.37 |
| 2007 | $63.46 | +204.8% | $103.00 |
| 2006 | $70.84 | +240.2% | $118.07 |
| 2005 | $49.83 | +139.3% | $86.51 |
| 2004 | $40.28 | +93.5% | $71.89 |
| 2003 | $28.11 | +35.0% | $51.70 |
| 2002 | $27.04 | +29.9% | $50.76 |
| 2001 | $28.63 | +37.5% | $54.38 |
| 2000 | $28.79 | +38.3% | $56.66 |
| 1999 | $17.72 | −14.9% | $35.98 |
| 1998 | $14.91 | −28.4% | $30.91 |
| 1997 | $20.82 | — | $43.89 |
| 1996 | $21.17 | +1.7% | $45.63 |
| 1995 | $19.74 | −5.2% | $43.77 |
| 1994 | $17.89 | −14.1% | $40.94 |
| 1993 | $19.95 | −4.2% | $46.69 |
| 1992 | $20.98 | +0.8% | $50.69 |
| 1991 | $21.23 | +2.0% | $52.84 |
| 1990 | $18.20 | −12.6% | $47.54 |
| 1989 | $20.12 | −3.4% | $54.85 |
| 1988 | $17.42 | −16.3% | $50.04 |
| 1987 | $19.44 | −6.6% | $58.01 |
| 1986 | $15.38 | −26.1% | $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 1997.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | May 1, 1997 – May 30, 1997 | May 30, 1997 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | May 1, 1997 – May 30, 1997 | May 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)