Oil Prices in 1986: WTI History and Monthly Averages
WTI average
$15.05
EIA annual average
WTI vs prior year
—
no 1985 data
Brent average
—
series begins May 1987
Brent vs prior year
—
Brent series begins May 20, 1987
WTI averaged $15.05 per barrel in 1986.
Monthly average prices in 1986
| Month | WTI avg | WTI high | WTI low | Brent avg | Brent − WTI (matched dates) | WTI (September 2026 $) | Brent (September 2026 $) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | $22.93 | $26.53 | $18.95 | — | — | $70.49 | — |
| February | $15.46 | $17.70 | $13.23 | — | — | $47.66 | — |
| March | $12.61 | $14.05 | $10.25 | — | — | $39.05 | — |
| April | $12.84 | $14.39 | $11.13 | — | — | $39.84 | — |
| May | $15.38 | $17.13 | $13.80 | — | — | $47.59 | — |
| June | $13.43 | $14.44 | $12.38 | — | — | $41.33 | — |
| July | $11.59 | $13.07 | $10.83 | — | — | $35.66 | — |
| August | $15.10 | $15.93 | $11.56 | — | — | $46.38 | — |
| September | $14.87 | $16.43 | $13.80 | — | — | $45.47 | — |
| October | $14.90 | $15.60 | $13.73 | — | — | $45.52 | — |
| November | $15.22 | $15.68 | $14.70 | — | — | $46.45 | — |
| December | $16.11 | $17.93 | $14.93 | — | — | $49.12 | — |
Monthly averages are EIA's published figures. Brent − WTI is the average over dates with both prices published, so it can differ from the difference between the two monthly averages. Inflation-adjusted columns use CPI-U for each month, expressed in September 2026 dollars; “—” means CPI-U for that month is not available.
The price moved by 5% or more in a single day 47 times. From $10.25 on Mar 31, 1986, WTI climbed to $17.93 by Dec 31, 1986, a 75% gain. The steepest fall within the year ran from $26.53 on Jan 6, 1986 to $10.25 on Mar 31, 1986, a 61% drop. Between January and February the monthly average fell $7.47, the largest month-to-month change of the year.
EIA's Brent spot price series begins on May 20, 1987, so this page has WTI prices only.
Monthly averages peaked early, at $22.93 in January, and bottomed at $11.59 in July. In September 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the 1986 average is $46.27, lower than 2025's real average by $22.17 (32.4%). The 1980s as a whole averaged $17.46, so 1986 ran below its decade. Of 40 complete years with an EIA annual average, 1986 ranks 2nd lowest.
1986 summary statistics
| Measure | WTI | Brent | Brent − WTI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $15.05 | — | — |
| Change vs 1985 average | — | — | — |
| Highest daily price | $26.53 Jan 6, 1986 | — — | — |
| Lowest daily price | $10.25 Mar 31, 1986 | — — | — |
| First observation | $25.56 Jan 2, 1986 | — — | — |
| Last observation | $17.93 Dec 31, 1986 | — — | — |
| Published daily observations | 251 | 0 | 0 matched |
| Average in September 2026 dollars | $46.27 | — | — |
Daily spot prices in 1986
Show all 251 dates (Jan 2, 1986 – Dec 31, 1986)
| Date | WTI | Brent | Brent − WTI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2, 1986 | $25.56 | — | — |
| Jan 3, 1986 | $26.00 | — | — |
| Jan 6, 1986 | $26.53 | — | — |
| Jan 7, 1986 | $25.85 | — | — |
| Jan 8, 1986 | $25.87 | — | — |
| Jan 9, 1986 | $26.03 | — | — |
| Jan 10, 1986 | $25.65 | — | — |
| Jan 13, 1986 | $25.08 | — | — |
| Jan 14, 1986 | $24.97 | — | — |
| Jan 15, 1986 | $25.18 | — | — |
| Jan 16, 1986 | $23.98 | — | — |
| Jan 17, 1986 | $23.63 | — | — |
| Jan 20, 1986 | $21.33 | — | — |
| Jan 21, 1986 | $20.61 | — | — |
| Jan 22, 1986 | $20.25 | — | — |
| Jan 23, 1986 | $19.93 | — | — |
| Jan 24, 1986 | $19.45 | — | — |
| Jan 27, 1986 | $20.87 | — | — |
| Jan 28, 1986 | $19.45 | — | — |
| Jan 29, 1986 | $19.61 | — | — |
| Jan 30, 1986 | $19.58 | — | — |
| Jan 31, 1986 | $18.95 | — | — |
| Feb 3, 1986 | $17.42 | — | — |
| Feb 4, 1986 | $15.58 | — | — |
| Feb 5, 1986 | $16.28 | — | — |
| Feb 6, 1986 | $16.60 | — | — |
| Feb 7, 1986 | $17.70 | — | — |
| Feb 10, 1986 | $16.78 | — | — |
| Feb 11, 1986 | $16.28 | — | — |
| Feb 12, 1986 | $15.74 | — | — |
| Feb 13, 1986 | $16.43 | — | — |
| Feb 14, 1986 | $16.03 | — | — |
| Feb 18, 1986 | $14.70 | — | — |
| Feb 19, 1986 | $15.08 | — | — |
| Feb 20, 1986 | $14.13 | — | — |
| Feb 21, 1986 | $13.63 | — | — |
| Feb 24, 1986 | $14.68 | — | — |
| Feb 25, 1986 | $14.68 | — | — |
| Feb 26, 1986 | $14.62 | — | — |
| Feb 27, 1986 | $14.05 | — | — |
| Feb 28, 1986 | $13.23 | — | — |
| Mar 3, 1986 | $11.98 | — | — |
| Mar 4, 1986 | $11.98 | — | — |
| Mar 5, 1986 | $12.03 | — | — |
| Mar 6, 1986 | $13.13 | — | — |
| Mar 7, 1986 | $12.24 | — | — |
| Mar 10, 1986 | $12.94 | — | — |
| Mar 11, 1986 | $13.23 | — | — |
| Mar 12, 1986 | $14.05 | — | — |
| Mar 13, 1986 | $12.60 | — | — |
| Mar 14, 1986 | $12.55 | — | — |
| Mar 17, 1986 | $13.28 | — | — |
| Mar 18, 1986 | $14.03 | — | — |
| Mar 19, 1986 | $13.25 | — | — |
| Mar 20, 1986 | $12.75 | — | — |
| Mar 21, 1986 | $13.95 | — | — |
| Mar 24, 1986 | $12.20 | — | — |
| Mar 25, 1986 | $12.43 | — | — |
| Mar 26, 1986 | $12.03 | — | — |
| Mar 27, 1986 | $11.35 | — | — |
| Mar 31, 1986 | $10.25 | — | — |
| Apr 1, 1986 | $11.13 | — | — |
| Apr 2, 1986 | $11.35 | — | — |
| Apr 3, 1986 | $11.70 | — | — |
| Apr 4, 1986 | $12.75 | — | — |
| Apr 7, 1986 | $14.39 | — | — |
| Apr 8, 1986 | $12.83 | — | — |
| Apr 9, 1986 | $13.00 | — | — |
| Apr 10, 1986 | $13.45 | — | — |
| Apr 11, 1986 | $13.63 | — | — |
| Apr 14, 1986 | $12.94 | — | — |
| Apr 15, 1986 | $12.72 | — | — |
| Apr 16, 1986 | $11.50 | — | — |
| Apr 17, 1986 | $11.75 | — | — |
| Apr 18, 1986 | $11.88 | — | — |
| Apr 21, 1986 | $12.48 | — | — |
| Apr 22, 1986 | $13.13 | — | — |
| Apr 23, 1986 | $13.70 | — | — |
| Apr 24, 1986 | $13.65 | — | — |
| Apr 25, 1986 | $14.23 | — | — |
| Apr 28, 1986 | $13.34 | — | — |
| Apr 29, 1986 | $13.63 | — | — |
| Apr 30, 1986 | $13.38 | — | — |
| May 1, 1986 | $13.80 | — | — |
| May 2, 1986 | $14.65 | — | — |
| May 5, 1986 | $14.32 | — | — |
| May 6, 1986 | $14.43 | — | — |
| May 7, 1986 | $15.13 | — | — |
| May 8, 1986 | $15.70 | — | — |
| May 9, 1986 | $15.83 | — | — |
| May 12, 1986 | $15.75 | — | — |
| May 13, 1986 | $15.65 | — | — |
| May 14, 1986 | $15.53 | — | — |
| May 15, 1986 | $15.68 | — | — |
| May 16, 1986 | $16.08 | — | — |
| May 19, 1986 | $17.13 | — | — |
| May 20, 1986 | $16.18 | — | — |
| May 21, 1986 | $15.53 | — | — |
| May 22, 1986 | $16.04 | — | — |
| May 23, 1986 | $16.95 | — | — |
| May 27, 1986 | $15.10 | — | — |
| May 28, 1986 | $14.65 | — | — |
| May 29, 1986 | $14.50 | — | — |
| May 30, 1986 | $14.30 | — | — |
| Jun 2, 1986 | $13.80 | — | — |
| Jun 3, 1986 | $13.35 | — | — |
| Jun 4, 1986 | $13.15 | — | — |
| Jun 5, 1986 | $13.21 | — | — |
| Jun 6, 1986 | $12.73 | — | — |
| Jun 9, 1986 | $12.61 | — | — |
| Jun 10, 1986 | $12.38 | — | — |
| Jun 11, 1986 | $13.52 | — | — |
| Jun 12, 1986 | $13.69 | — | — |
| Jun 13, 1986 | $13.83 | — | — |
| Jun 16, 1986 | $13.65 | — | — |
| Jun 17, 1986 | $13.65 | — | — |
| Jun 18, 1986 | $13.62 | — | — |
| Jun 19, 1986 | $13.73 | — | — |
| Jun 20, 1986 | $14.44 | — | — |
| Jun 23, 1986 | $14.05 | — | — |
| Jun 24, 1986 | $13.98 | — | — |
| Jun 25, 1986 | $13.23 | — | — |
| Jun 26, 1986 | $13.14 | — | — |
| Jun 27, 1986 | $13.38 | — | — |
| Jun 30, 1986 | $12.80 | — | — |
| Jul 1, 1986 | $12.39 | — | — |
| Jul 2, 1986 | $12.04 | — | — |
| Jul 3, 1986 | $11.70 | — | — |
| Jul 7, 1986 | $11.18 | — | — |
| Jul 8, 1986 | $11.19 | — | — |
| Jul 9, 1986 | $11.00 | — | — |
| Jul 10, 1986 | $11.13 | — | — |
| Jul 11, 1986 | $11.13 | — | — |
| Jul 14, 1986 | $11.23 | — | — |
| Jul 15, 1986 | $11.85 | — | — |
| Jul 16, 1986 | $12.68 | — | — |
| Jul 17, 1986 | $12.30 | — | — |
| Jul 18, 1986 | $12.80 | — | — |
| Jul 21, 1986 | $13.07 | — | — |
| Jul 22, 1986 | $10.88 | — | — |
| Jul 23, 1986 | $10.83 | — | — |
| Jul 24, 1986 | $10.95 | — | — |
| Jul 25, 1986 | $10.83 | — | — |
| Jul 28, 1986 | $11.09 | — | — |
| Jul 29, 1986 | $11.63 | — | — |
| Jul 30, 1986 | $11.73 | — | — |
| Jul 31, 1986 | $11.23 | — | — |
| Aug 1, 1986 | $11.56 | — | — |
| Aug 4, 1986 | $14.00 | — | — |
| Aug 5, 1986 | $14.35 | — | — |
| Aug 6, 1986 | $14.80 | — | — |
| Aug 7, 1986 | $15.18 | — | — |
| Aug 8, 1986 | $14.83 | — | — |
| Aug 11, 1986 | $14.92 | — | — |
| Aug 12, 1986 | $15.50 | — | — |
| Aug 13, 1986 | $15.28 | — | — |
| Aug 14, 1986 | $15.43 | — | — |
| Aug 15, 1986 | $15.83 | — | — |
| Aug 18, 1986 | $15.58 | — | — |
| Aug 19, 1986 | $14.98 | — | — |
| Aug 20, 1986 | $15.23 | — | — |
| Aug 21, 1986 | $15.23 | — | — |
| Aug 22, 1986 | $15.48 | — | — |
| Aug 25, 1986 | $15.48 | — | — |
| Aug 26, 1986 | $15.78 | — | — |
| Aug 27, 1986 | $15.83 | — | — |
| Aug 28, 1986 | $15.83 | — | — |
| Aug 29, 1986 | $15.93 | — | — |
| Sep 2, 1986 | $16.43 | — | — |
| Sep 3, 1986 | $16.03 | — | — |
| Sep 4, 1986 | $16.18 | — | — |
| Sep 5, 1986 | $15.63 | — | — |
| Sep 8, 1986 | $15.63 | — | — |
| Sep 9, 1986 | $15.00 | — | — |
| Sep 10, 1986 | $14.90 | — | — |
| Sep 11, 1986 | $15.05 | — | — |
| Sep 12, 1986 | $15.06 | — | — |
| Sep 15, 1986 | $14.31 | — | — |
| Sep 16, 1986 | $13.80 | — | — |
| Sep 17, 1986 | $14.03 | — | — |
| Sep 18, 1986 | $14.55 | — | — |
| Sep 19, 1986 | $14.47 | — | — |
| Sep 22, 1986 | $13.94 | — | — |
| Sep 23, 1986 | $14.30 | — | — |
| Sep 24, 1986 | $14.55 | — | — |
| Sep 25, 1986 | $14.28 | — | — |
| Sep 26, 1986 | $14.43 | — | — |
| Sep 29, 1986 | $14.93 | — | — |
| Sep 30, 1986 | $14.70 | — | — |
| Oct 1, 1986 | $15.23 | — | — |
| Oct 2, 1986 | $15.38 | — | — |
| Oct 3, 1986 | $14.86 | — | — |
| Oct 6, 1986 | $14.83 | — | — |
| Oct 7, 1986 | $15.60 | — | — |
| Oct 8, 1986 | $15.35 | — | — |
| Oct 9, 1986 | $15.05 | — | — |
| Oct 10, 1986 | $14.98 | — | — |
| Oct 14, 1986 | $14.55 | — | — |
| Oct 15, 1986 | $14.83 | — | — |
| Oct 16, 1986 | $14.53 | — | — |
| Oct 17, 1986 | $14.85 | — | — |
| Oct 20, 1986 | $15.17 | — | — |
| Oct 21, 1986 | $15.22 | — | — |
| Oct 22, 1986 | $14.85 | — | — |
| Oct 23, 1986 | $14.88 | — | — |
| Oct 24, 1986 | $14.93 | — | — |
| Oct 27, 1986 | $14.40 | — | — |
| Oct 28, 1986 | $14.18 | — | — |
| Oct 29, 1986 | $13.73 | — | — |
| Oct 30, 1986 | $15.08 | — | — |
| Oct 31, 1986 | $15.25 | — | — |
| Nov 3, 1986 | $14.70 | — | — |
| Nov 4, 1986 | $15.05 | — | — |
| Nov 5, 1986 | $14.93 | — | — |
| Nov 6, 1986 | $15.08 | — | — |
| Nov 7, 1986 | $15.15 | — | — |
| Nov 10, 1986 | $15.30 | — | — |
| Nov 11, 1986 | $15.39 | — | — |
| Nov 12, 1986 | $15.33 | — | — |
| Nov 13, 1986 | $15.55 | — | — |
| Nov 14, 1986 | $15.68 | — | — |
| Nov 17, 1986 | $15.62 | — | — |
| Nov 18, 1986 | $15.65 | — | — |
| Nov 19, 1986 | $15.52 | — | — |
| Nov 20, 1986 | $15.10 | — | — |
| Nov 21, 1986 | $15.13 | — | — |
| Nov 24, 1986 | $14.98 | — | — |
| Nov 25, 1986 | $15.05 | — | — |
| Nov 26, 1986 | $15.00 | — | — |
| Nov 28, 1986 | $15.00 | — | — |
| Dec 1, 1986 | $15.29 | — | — |
| Dec 2, 1986 | $15.22 | — | — |
| Dec 3, 1986 | $15.13 | — | — |
| Dec 4, 1986 | $15.20 | — | — |
| Dec 5, 1986 | $15.14 | — | — |
| Dec 8, 1986 | $15.01 | — | — |
| Dec 9, 1986 | $14.93 | — | — |
| Dec 10, 1986 | $15.12 | — | — |
| Dec 11, 1986 | $15.49 | — | — |
| Dec 12, 1986 | $16.13 | — | — |
| Dec 15, 1986 | $16.38 | — | — |
| Dec 16, 1986 | $16.11 | — | — |
| Dec 17, 1986 | $15.83 | — | — |
| Dec 18, 1986 | $16.28 | — | — |
| Dec 19, 1986 | $16.55 | — | — |
| Dec 22, 1986 | $16.95 | — | — |
| Dec 23, 1986 | $16.93 | — | — |
| Dec 24, 1986 | $17.26 | — | — |
| Dec 29, 1986 | $17.65 | — | — |
| Dec 30, 1986 | $17.73 | — | — |
| Dec 31, 1986 | $17.93 | — | — |
“—” means EIA published no price for that benchmark on that date.
Price episode covering 1986: 1986 price collapse
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB | $/bbl | Jan 2, 1986 – Dec 31, 1986 | Dec 31, 1986 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB | $/bbl | none in this year | — |
| U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | CUUR0000SA0 — CPI-U, all items, NSA | index, 1982–84=100 | monthly and annual average | September 2026 |
Inflation adjustment: real = nominal × CPI-U(September 2026) ÷ CPI-U(period). Annual figures use the BLS annual average CPI-U; a year without one uses the mean of the months published so far.
Last updated: Oct 21, 2026, 5:27 PM CDT. Raw values are shown in source units; any conversion is labeled. See methodology and data sources.
Download:1986 daily prices (CSV)