Oil Prices in September 1997: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $19.80 per barrel in September 1997, little changed from August 1997 ($19.95). A year earlier, in September 1996, it averaged $23.97, so the price was lower by $4.17 (17.4%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, September 1997
Chart data table (21 rows; WTI on 21, Brent on 21)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 30, 1997 | $21.13 | $19.96 |
| Sep 29, 1997 | $21.29 | $19.48 |
| Sep 26, 1997 | $20.87 | $19.36 |
| Sep 25, 1997 | $20.38 | $19.05 |
| Sep 24, 1997 | $20.03 | $18.52 |
| Sep 23, 1997 | $19.71 | $18.57 |
| Sep 22, 1997 | $19.61 | $18.65 |
| Sep 19, 1997 | $19.37 | $18.32 |
| Sep 18, 1997 | $19.41 | $18.14 |
| Sep 17, 1997 | $19.44 | $18.21 |
| Sep 16, 1997 | $19.67 | $18.40 |
| Sep 15, 1997 | $19.30 | $18.05 |
| Sep 12, 1997 | $19.37 | $18.06 |
| Sep 11, 1997 | $19.41 | $18.21 |
| Sep 10, 1997 | $19.50 | $18.08 |
| Sep 9, 1997 | $19.50 | $18.18 |
| Sep 8, 1997 | $19.43 | $18.03 |
| Sep 5, 1997 | $19.61 | $18.15 |
| Sep 4, 1997 | $19.46 | $17.92 |
| Sep 3, 1997 | $19.65 | $18.12 |
| Sep 2, 1997 | $19.73 | $18.22 |
Prices rose over the month, from $19.73 on Sep 2, 1997 to $21.13 on Sep 30, 1997.
Brent averaged $18.46, on matched dates $1.34 below WTI on average across 21 dates.
Among the 41 September averages EIA has published, 1997's ranks 9th lowest. Within 1997 it ranks 5th lowest of the 12 monthly averages. The high was $21.29 on Sep 29, 1997 and the low $19.30 on Sep 15, 1997. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $41.46 and the high of $21.29 equals $44.58.
September 1997 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $19.80 | $18.46 |
| Change vs August 1997 | −$0.15 | −$0.14 |
| Change vs September 1996 | −$4.17 | −$4.17 |
| Highest daily price | $21.29 Sep 29, 1997 | $19.96 Sep 30, 1997 |
| Lowest daily price | $19.30 Sep 15, 1997 | $17.92 Sep 4, 1997 |
| Published daily observations | 21 | 21 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $41.46 | $38.65 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for September 1997.
September in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs September 1997 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $97.31 | +391.5% | $97.47 |
| 2025 | $63.96 | +223.0% | $66.46 |
| 2024 | $70.24 | +254.7% | $75.19 |
| 2023 | $89.43 | +351.7% | $98.07 |
| 2022 | $84.26 | +325.6% | $95.82 |
| 2021 | $71.65 | +261.9% | $88.16 |
| 2020 | $39.63 | +100.2% | $51.39 |
| 2019 | $56.95 | +187.6% | $74.86 |
| 2018 | $70.23 | +254.7% | $93.90 |
| 2017 | $49.82 | +151.6% | $68.13 |
| 2016 | $45.18 | +128.2% | $63.16 |
| 2015 | $45.48 | +129.7% | $64.51 |
| 2014 | $93.21 | +370.8% | $132.17 |
| 2013 | $106.29 | +436.8% | $153.21 |
| 2012 | $94.51 | +377.3% | $137.84 |
| 2011 | $85.52 | +331.9% | $127.22 |
| 2010 | $75.24 | +280.0% | $116.25 |
| 2009 | $69.41 | +250.6% | $108.47 |
| 2008 | $104.11 | +425.8% | $160.61 |
| 2007 | $79.92 | +303.6% | $129.38 |
| 2006 | $63.80 | +222.2% | $106.13 |
| 2005 | $65.59 | +231.3% | $111.35 |
| 2004 | $45.94 | +132.0% | $81.65 |
| 2003 | $28.31 | +43.0% | $51.59 |
| 2002 | $29.66 | +49.8% | $55.31 |
| 2001 | $26.20 | +32.3% | $49.59 |
| 2000 | $33.88 | +71.1% | $65.83 |
| 1999 | $23.80 | +20.2% | $47.84 |
| 1998 | $15.03 | −24.1% | $31.01 |
| 1997 | $19.80 | — | $41.46 |
| 1996 | $23.97 | +21.1% | $51.27 |
| 1995 | $18.23 | −7.9% | $40.16 |
| 1994 | $17.45 | −11.9% | $39.42 |
| 1993 | $17.50 | −11.6% | $40.71 |
| 1992 | $21.88 | +10.5% | $52.26 |
| 1991 | $21.89 | +10.6% | $53.85 |
| 1990 | $33.51 | +69.2% | $85.23 |
| 1989 | $19.59 | −1.1% | $52.89 |
| 1988 | $14.54 | −26.6% | $40.96 |
| 1987 | $19.53 | −1.4% | $57.32 |
| 1986 | $14.87 | −24.9% | $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 1997.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Sep 2, 1997 – Sep 30, 1997 | Sep 30, 1997 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Sep 2, 1997 – Sep 30, 1997 | Sep 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)