Oil Prices in April 1998: WTI & Brent Daily Prices and Monthly Average
WTI averaged $15.35 per barrel in April 1998, up $0.23 (1.5%) from March 1998. A year earlier, in April 1997, it averaged $19.70, so the price was lower by $4.35 (22.1%) year over year.
Daily spot prices, April 1998
Chart data table (21 rows; WTI on 21, Brent on 20)
| Period | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 30, 1998 | $15.56 | $13.79 |
| Apr 29, 1998 | $15.43 | $14.09 |
| Apr 28, 1998 | $15.90 | $13.88 |
| Apr 27, 1998 | $15.43 | $13.65 |
| Apr 24, 1998 | $13.23 | $13.32 |
| Apr 23, 1998 | $13.09 | $13.42 |
| Apr 22, 1998 | $15.07 | $13.71 |
| Apr 21, 1998 | $15.57 | $13.95 |
| Apr 20, 1998 | $15.52 | $13.82 |
| Apr 17, 1998 | $15.49 | $14.06 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | $15.97 | $13.68 |
| Apr 15, 1998 | $15.64 | $13.31 |
| Apr 14, 1998 | $15.18 | $13.15 |
| Apr 13, 1998 | $15.35 | — |
| Apr 9, 1998 | $15.61 | $13.23 |
| Apr 8, 1998 | $15.71 | $12.79 |
| Apr 7, 1998 | $15.39 | $12.82 |
| Apr 6, 1998 | $15.48 | $13.13 |
| Apr 3, 1998 | $16.08 | $13.63 |
| Apr 2, 1998 | $16.04 | $13.38 |
| Apr 1, 1998 | $15.69 | $13.72 |
Prices peaked at $16.08 on Apr 3, 1998, then fell to $13.09 on Apr 23, 1998 and ended at $15.56. The largest one-day move was +$2.20 on Apr 27, 1998 (+16.6%).
Brent averaged $13.53, on matched dates $1.83 below WTI on average across 20 dates.
Among the 41 April averages EIA has published, 1998's ranks 2nd lowest. Within 1998 it ranks 3rd highest of the 12 monthly averages. WTI moved 5% or more from the previous published price on 2 days. In October 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the average equals $31.88 and the high of $16.08 equals $33.40.
April 1998 summary
| Measure | WTI | Brent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly average | $15.35 | $13.53 |
| Change vs March 1998 | +$0.23 | +$0.43 |
| Change vs April 1997 | −$4.35 | −$4.03 |
| Highest daily price | $16.08 Apr 3, 1998 | $14.09 Apr 29, 1998 |
| Lowest daily price | $13.09 Apr 23, 1998 | $12.79 Apr 8, 1998 |
| Published daily observations | 21 | 20 |
| Average in October 2026 dollars (CPI-U) | $31.88 | $28.10 |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Real figures use CPI-U for April 1998.
April in other years
| Year | WTI average | vs April 1998 | Real |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $100.32 | +553.6% | $101.67 |
| 2025 | $63.54 | +313.9% | $66.85 |
| 2024 | $85.35 | +456.0% | $91.87 |
| 2023 | $79.45 | +417.6% | $88.39 |
| 2022 | $101.78 | +563.1% | $118.82 |
| 2021 | $61.72 | +302.1% | $78.00 |
| 2020 | $16.55 | +7.8% | $21.79 |
| 2019 | $63.86 | +316.0% | $84.34 |
| 2018 | $66.25 | +331.6% | $89.25 |
| 2017 | $51.06 | +232.6% | $70.48 |
| 2016 | $40.75 | +165.5% | $57.48 |
| 2015 | $54.45 | +254.7% | $77.67 |
| 2014 | $102.07 | +565.0% | $145.31 |
| 2013 | $92.02 | +499.5% | $133.56 |
| 2012 | $103.32 | +573.1% | $151.56 |
| 2011 | $109.53 | +613.6% | $164.37 |
| 2010 | $84.29 | +449.1% | $130.49 |
| 2009 | $49.65 | +223.5% | $78.58 |
| 2008 | $112.58 | +633.4% | $176.88 |
| 2007 | $63.98 | +316.8% | $104.48 |
| 2006 | $69.44 | +352.4% | $116.31 |
| 2005 | $52.98 | +245.1% | $91.89 |
| 2004 | $36.75 | +139.4% | $65.98 |
| 2003 | $28.17 | +83.5% | $51.73 |
| 2002 | $26.18 | +70.6% | $49.14 |
| 2001 | $27.49 | +79.1% | $52.45 |
| 2000 | $25.72 | +67.6% | $50.68 |
| 1999 | $17.31 | +12.8% | $35.15 |
| 1998 | $15.35 | — | $31.88 |
| 1997 | $19.70 | +28.3% | $41.50 |
| 1996 | $23.50 | +53.1% | $50.75 |
| 1995 | $19.90 | +29.6% | $44.22 |
| 1994 | $16.42 | +7.0% | $37.60 |
| 1993 | $20.25 | +31.9% | $47.46 |
| 1992 | $20.23 | +31.8% | $48.95 |
| 1991 | $20.83 | +35.7% | $52.00 |
| 1990 | $18.43 | +20.1% | $48.26 |
| 1989 | $21.07 | +37.3% | $57.77 |
| 1988 | $17.86 | +16.4% | $51.48 |
| 1987 | $18.68 | +21.7% | $55.94 |
| 1986 | $12.84 | −16.4% | $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 1998.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Apr 1, 1998 – Apr 30, 1998 | Apr 30, 1998 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB (daily, monthly) | $/bbl | Apr 1, 1998 – Apr 30, 1998 | Apr 30, 1998 |
| 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:1998 daily prices (CSV)