Oil Prices in November 1997: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $20.19 per barrel in November 1997, down $1.14 (5.3%) from October 1997. A year earlier, in November 1996, it averaged $23.71, so the price was lower by $3.52 (14.8%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, November 1997
Chart data table (20 rows; WTI on 18, Brent on 19)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 28, 1997 | — | $18.96 |
| Nov 27, 1997 | — | $18.64 |
| Nov 26, 1997 | $19.13 | $18.50 |
| Nov 25, 1997 | $19.35 | $19.14 |
| Nov 24, 1997 | $19.41 | $19.01 |
| Nov 21, 1997 | $19.76 | $18.83 |
| Nov 20, 1997 | $19.17 | $18.82 |
| Nov 19, 1997 | $19.82 | $19.41 |
| Nov 18, 1997 | $20.01 | $19.39 |
| Nov 17, 1997 | $20.29 | $19.54 |
| Nov 14, 1997 | $21.01 | $20.24 |
| Nov 13, 1997 | $20.76 | $19.71 |
| Nov 12, 1997 | $20.53 | $19.26 |
| Nov 11, 1997 | $20.54 | — |
| Nov 10, 1997 | $20.46 | $19.14 |
| Nov 7, 1997 | $20.80 | $19.24 |
| Nov 6, 1997 | $20.46 | $18.97 |
| Nov 5, 1997 | $20.44 | $18.93 |
| Nov 4, 1997 | $20.64 | $19.10 |
| Nov 3, 1997 | $20.91 | $19.48 |
Prices fell over the month, from $20.91 on Nov 3, 1997 to $19.13 on Nov 26, 1997, with declines on 12 of 18 trading days.
Brent averaged $19.17, within a dollar of WTI on average across the 17 dates when both were published.
Among the 40 November averages EIA has published, 1997's ranks 10th lowest. Within 1997 it ranks 6th highest of the 12 monthly averages. The high was $21.01 on Nov 14, 1997 and the low $19.13 on Nov 26, 1997. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $42.19 and the high of $21.01 equals $43.91.
November 1997 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $20.19 | $19.17 |
| Change vs October 1997 | −$1.14 | −$0.70 |
| Change vs November 1996 | −$3.52 | −$3.59 |
| Highest daily price | $21.01 Nov 14, 1997 | $20.24 Nov 14, 1997 |
| Lowest daily price | $19.13 Nov 26, 1997 | $18.50 Nov 26, 1997 |
| Published daily observations | 18 | 19 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $42.19 | $40.06 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for November 1997.
November in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs November 1997 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (to date) | $99.85 | +394.6% | — |
| 2025 | $60.06 | +197.5% | $62.54 |
| 2024 | $69.95 | +246.5% | $74.83 |
| 2023 | $77.69 | +284.8% | $85.40 |
| 2022 | $84.37 | +317.9% | $95.65 |
| 2021 | $79.15 | +292.0% | $96.11 |
| 2020 | $40.94 | +102.8% | $53.10 |
| 2019 | $57.03 | +182.5% | $74.84 |
| 2018 | $56.96 | +182.1% | $76.28 |
| 2017 | $56.64 | +180.5% | $77.50 |
| 2016 | $45.66 | +126.2% | $63.85 |
| 2015 | $42.44 | +110.2% | $60.35 |
| 2014 | $75.79 | +275.4% | $108.32 |
| 2013 | $93.86 | +364.9% | $135.92 |
| 2012 | $86.53 | +328.6% | $126.86 |
| 2011 | $97.16 | +381.2% | $144.95 |
| 2010 | $84.25 | +317.3% | $129.96 |
| 2009 | $77.99 | +286.3% | $121.68 |
| 2008 | $57.31 | +183.9% | $91.06 |
| 2007 | $94.77 | +369.4% | $152.19 |
| 2006 | $59.08 | +192.6% | $98.96 |
| 2005 | $58.32 | +188.9% | $99.61 |
| 2004 | $48.47 | +140.1% | $85.65 |
| 2003 | $31.11 | +54.1% | $56.91 |
| 2002 | $26.35 | +30.5% | $49.05 |
| 2001 | $19.64 | −2.7% | $37.37 |
| 2000 | $34.42 | +70.5% | $66.73 |
| 1999 | $25.00 | +23.8% | $50.14 |
| 1998 | $13.00 | −35.6% | $26.75 |
| 1997 | $20.19 | — | $42.19 |
| 1996 | $23.71 | +17.4% | $50.46 |
| 1995 | $17.99 | −10.9% | $39.53 |
| 1994 | $18.07 | −10.5% | $40.74 |
| 1993 | $16.61 | −17.7% | $38.45 |
| 1992 | $20.34 | +0.7% | $48.34 |
| 1991 | $22.46 | +11.2% | $55.01 |
| 1990 | $32.33 | +60.1% | $81.55 |
| 1989 | $19.86 | −1.6% | $53.24 |
| 1988 | $14.14 | −30.0% | $39.67 |
| 1987 | $18.85 | −6.6% | $55.13 |
| 1986 | $15.22 | −24.6% | $46.53 |
“—” 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 November 1997.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Nov 3, 1997 – Nov 26, 1997 | Nov 26, 1997 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Nov 3, 1997 – Nov 28, 1997 | Nov 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)