Oil Prices in 1987: WTI & Brent History and Monthly Averages
WTI average
$19.20
EIA annual average
WTI vs prior year
+27.6%
1986: $15.05
Brent average
$18.53
from May 20, 1987
Brent vs prior year
—
Brent series begins May 20, 1987
WTI averaged $19.20 per barrel in 1987, up $4.15 (27.6%) from 1986.
Monthly average prices in 1987
| Month | WTI avg | WTI high | WTI low | Brent avg | Brent − WTI (matched dates) | WTI (September 2026 $) | Brent (September 2026 $) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | $18.65 | $19.13 | $17.98 | — | — | $56.51 | — |
| February | $17.75 | $18.59 | $16.43 | — | — | $53.59 | — |
| March | $18.30 | $18.94 | $16.43 | — | — | $55.00 | — |
| April | $18.68 | $19.03 | $18.07 | — | — | $55.85 | — |
| May | $19.44 | $19.97 | $18.84 | $18.58 | −$0.96 | $57.91 | $55.35 |
| June | $20.07 | $20.65 | $19.55 | $18.86 | −$1.21 | $59.58 | $55.99 |
| July | $21.34 | $22.44 | $20.47 | $19.86 | −$1.49 | $63.18 | $58.80 |
| August | $20.31 | $22.21 | $19.18 | $18.98 | −$1.33 | $59.82 | $55.90 |
| September | $19.53 | $19.77 | $18.99 | $18.31 | −$1.22 | $57.22 | $53.65 |
| October | $19.86 | $20.23 | $19.33 | $18.76 | −$1.10 | $58.04 | $54.82 |
| November | $18.85 | $19.64 | $18.28 | $17.78 | −$1.07 | $55.04 | $51.91 |
| December | $17.28 | $18.87 | $15.12 | $17.05 | −$0.22 | $50.45 | $49.78 |
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.
From $16.43 on Feb 25, 1987, WTI climbed to $22.44 by Jul 16, 1987, a 37% gain. The steepest fall within the year ran from $22.44 on Jul 16, 1987 to $15.12 on Dec 21, 1987, a 33% drop. Although the annual average rose, prices ended the year lower than they started: $18.13 on Jan 2, 1987 against $16.74 on Dec 31, 1987. The largest one-day move was +$1.48 on Dec 22, 1987 (+9.8%).
Brent traded below WTI throughout 1987: its monthly average was lower in every month, and on the 158 matched dates it averaged $1.09 less. Brent averaged $18.53 from May 20, 1987, when EIA's Brent series begins.
Monthly averages peaked early, at $21.34 in July, and bottomed at $17.28 in December. In September 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the 1987 average is $56.95, lower than 2025's real average by $11.49 (16.8%). The 1980s as a whole averaged $17.46, so 1987 ran above its decade. Of 40 complete years with an EIA annual average, 1987 ranks 7th lowest.
1987 summary statistics
| Measure | WTI | Brent | Brent − WTI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $19.20 | $18.53 | −$1.09 |
| Change vs 1986 average | +$4.15 | — | — |
| Highest daily price | $22.44 Jul 16, 1987 | $20.95 Aug 3, 1987 | — |
| Lowest daily price | $15.12 Dec 21, 1987 | $15.03 Dec 17, 1987 | — |
| Highest daily spread | — | — | +$0.88 Dec 30, 1987 |
| Lowest daily spread | — | — | −$2.04 Jul 16, 1987 |
| First observation | $18.13 Jan 2, 1987 | $18.63 May 20, 1987 | — |
| Last observation | $16.74 Dec 31, 1987 | $17.60 Dec 31, 1987 | — |
| Published daily observations | 254 | 160 | 158 matched |
| Average in September 2026 dollars | $56.95 | $54.96 | — |
Daily spot prices in 1987
Show all 256 dates (Jan 2, 1987 – Dec 31, 1987)
| Date | WTI | Brent | Brent − WTI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2, 1987 | $18.13 | — | — |
| Jan 5, 1987 | $17.98 | — | — |
| Jan 6, 1987 | $18.21 | — | — |
| Jan 7, 1987 | $18.28 | — | — |
| Jan 8, 1987 | $18.63 | — | — |
| Jan 9, 1987 | $18.78 | — | — |
| Jan 12, 1987 | $19.00 | — | — |
| Jan 13, 1987 | $18.86 | — | — |
| Jan 14, 1987 | $19.13 | — | — |
| Jan 15, 1987 | $19.09 | — | — |
| Jan 16, 1987 | $19.13 | — | — |
| Jan 19, 1987 | $18.70 | — | — |
| Jan 20, 1987 | $18.73 | — | — |
| Jan 21, 1987 | $18.60 | — | — |
| Jan 22, 1987 | $18.76 | — | — |
| Jan 23, 1987 | $18.59 | — | — |
| Jan 26, 1987 | $18.63 | — | — |
| Jan 27, 1987 | $18.48 | — | — |
| Jan 28, 1987 | $18.56 | — | — |
| Jan 29, 1987 | $18.68 | — | — |
| Jan 30, 1987 | $18.73 | — | — |
| Feb 2, 1987 | $18.59 | — | — |
| Feb 3, 1987 | $18.38 | — | — |
| Feb 4, 1987 | $18.26 | — | — |
| Feb 5, 1987 | $18.56 | — | — |
| Feb 6, 1987 | $18.44 | — | — |
| Feb 9, 1987 | $18.37 | — | — |
| Feb 10, 1987 | $18.43 | — | — |
| Feb 11, 1987 | $18.03 | — | — |
| Feb 12, 1987 | $18.05 | — | — |
| Feb 13, 1987 | $17.83 | — | — |
| Feb 17, 1987 | $17.78 | — | — |
| Feb 18, 1987 | $17.44 | — | — |
| Feb 19, 1987 | $17.48 | — | — |
| Feb 20, 1987 | $17.83 | — | — |
| Feb 23, 1987 | $17.15 | — | — |
| Feb 24, 1987 | $16.75 | — | — |
| Feb 25, 1987 | $16.43 | — | — |
| Feb 26, 1987 | $16.98 | — | — |
| Feb 27, 1987 | $16.45 | — | — |
| Mar 2, 1987 | $16.43 | — | — |
| Mar 3, 1987 | $17.40 | — | — |
| Mar 4, 1987 | $17.40 | — | — |
| Mar 5, 1987 | $18.00 | — | — |
| Mar 6, 1987 | $18.13 | — | — |
| Mar 9, 1987 | $18.13 | — | — |
| Mar 10, 1987 | $18.27 | — | — |
| Mar 11, 1987 | $18.33 | — | — |
| Mar 12, 1987 | $18.42 | — | — |
| Mar 13, 1987 | $18.39 | — | — |
| Mar 16, 1987 | $18.61 | — | — |
| Mar 17, 1987 | $18.94 | — | — |
| Mar 18, 1987 | $18.75 | — | — |
| Mar 19, 1987 | $18.61 | — | — |
| Mar 20, 1987 | $18.70 | — | — |
| Mar 23, 1987 | $18.60 | — | — |
| Mar 25, 1987 | $18.48 | — | — |
| Mar 26, 1987 | $18.63 | — | — |
| Mar 27, 1987 | $18.65 | — | — |
| Mar 30, 1987 | $18.67 | — | — |
| Mar 31, 1987 | $18.82 | — | — |
| Apr 1, 1987 | $18.78 | — | — |
| Apr 2, 1987 | $18.90 | — | — |
| Apr 3, 1987 | $18.68 | — | — |
| Apr 6, 1987 | $18.71 | — | — |
| Apr 7, 1987 | $18.69 | — | — |
| Apr 8, 1987 | $18.68 | — | — |
| Apr 9, 1987 | $18.64 | — | — |
| Apr 10, 1987 | $18.26 | — | — |
| Apr 13, 1987 | $18.07 | — | — |
| Apr 14, 1987 | $18.09 | — | — |
| Apr 15, 1987 | $18.46 | — | — |
| Apr 16, 1987 | $18.58 | — | — |
| Apr 20, 1987 | $18.66 | — | — |
| Apr 21, 1987 | $18.97 | — | — |
| Apr 22, 1987 | $19.03 | — | — |
| Apr 23, 1987 | $19.03 | — | — |
| Apr 24, 1987 | $19.01 | — | — |
| Apr 27, 1987 | $18.83 | — | — |
| Apr 28, 1987 | $18.73 | — | — |
| Apr 29, 1987 | $18.66 | — | — |
| Apr 30, 1987 | $18.76 | — | — |
| May 1, 1987 | $18.84 | — | — |
| May 4, 1987 | $18.93 | — | — |
| May 5, 1987 | $19.18 | — | — |
| May 6, 1987 | $19.22 | — | — |
| May 7, 1987 | $19.08 | — | — |
| May 8, 1987 | $19.28 | — | — |
| May 11, 1987 | $19.43 | — | — |
| May 12, 1987 | $19.37 | — | — |
| May 13, 1987 | $19.39 | — | — |
| May 14, 1987 | $19.56 | — | — |
| May 15, 1987 | $19.84 | — | — |
| May 18, 1987 | $19.91 | — | — |
| May 19, 1987 | $19.97 | — | — |
| May 20, 1987 | $19.75 | $18.63 | −$1.12 |
| May 21, 1987 | $19.95 | $18.45 | −$1.50 |
| May 22, 1987 | $19.68 | $18.55 | −$1.13 |
| May 25, 1987 | — | $18.60 | — |
| May 26, 1987 | $19.35 | $18.63 | −$0.72 |
| May 27, 1987 | $19.38 | $18.60 | −$0.78 |
| May 28, 1987 | $19.28 | $18.60 | −$0.68 |
| May 29, 1987 | $19.36 | $18.58 | −$0.78 |
| Jun 1, 1987 | $19.55 | $18.65 | −$0.90 |
| Jun 2, 1987 | $19.70 | $18.68 | −$1.02 |
| Jun 3, 1987 | $19.87 | $18.75 | −$1.12 |
| Jun 4, 1987 | $19.75 | $18.78 | −$0.97 |
| Jun 5, 1987 | $19.79 | $18.65 | −$1.14 |
| Jun 8, 1987 | $19.94 | $18.75 | −$1.19 |
| Jun 9, 1987 | $19.84 | $18.78 | −$1.06 |
| Jun 10, 1987 | $19.83 | $18.78 | −$1.05 |
| Jun 11, 1987 | $19.85 | $18.68 | −$1.17 |
| Jun 12, 1987 | $19.93 | $18.78 | −$1.15 |
| Jun 15, 1987 | $20.07 | — | — |
| Jun 16, 1987 | $20.27 | $18.90 | −$1.37 |
| Jun 17, 1987 | $20.41 | $19.03 | −$1.38 |
| Jun 18, 1987 | $20.50 | $19.05 | −$1.45 |
| Jun 19, 1987 | $20.65 | $19.05 | −$1.60 |
| Jun 22, 1987 | $20.49 | $19.10 | −$1.39 |
| Jun 23, 1987 | $19.95 | $18.90 | −$1.05 |
| Jun 24, 1987 | $20.13 | $18.75 | −$1.38 |
| Jun 25, 1987 | $20.15 | $18.70 | −$1.45 |
| Jun 26, 1987 | $20.34 | $19.08 | −$1.26 |
| Jun 29, 1987 | $20.38 | $19.15 | −$1.23 |
| Jun 30, 1987 | $20.22 | $19.08 | −$1.14 |
| Jul 1, 1987 | $20.47 | $18.98 | −$1.49 |
| Jul 2, 1987 | $20.61 | $19.25 | −$1.36 |
| Jul 3, 1987 | $20.61 | $19.33 | −$1.28 |
| Jul 6, 1987 | $20.92 | $19.48 | −$1.44 |
| Jul 7, 1987 | $20.76 | $19.50 | −$1.26 |
| Jul 8, 1987 | $20.94 | $19.48 | −$1.46 |
| Jul 9, 1987 | $21.32 | $19.68 | −$1.64 |
| Jul 10, 1987 | $21.34 | $19.73 | −$1.61 |
| Jul 13, 1987 | $21.38 | $19.83 | −$1.55 |
| Jul 14, 1987 | $21.65 | $19.88 | −$1.77 |
| Jul 15, 1987 | $22.23 | $20.28 | −$1.95 |
| Jul 16, 1987 | $22.44 | $20.40 | −$2.04 |
| Jul 17, 1987 | $22.44 | $20.63 | −$1.81 |
| Jul 20, 1987 | $22.23 | $20.55 | −$1.68 |
| Jul 21, 1987 | $21.75 | $20.35 | −$1.40 |
| Jul 22, 1987 | $21.73 | $20.33 | −$1.40 |
| Jul 23, 1987 | $21.23 | $20.15 | −$1.08 |
| Jul 24, 1987 | $20.58 | $19.58 | −$1.00 |
| Jul 27, 1987 | $20.50 | $19.30 | −$1.20 |
| Jul 28, 1987 | $21.35 | $19.78 | −$1.57 |
| Jul 29, 1987 | $21.49 | $19.98 | −$1.51 |
| Jul 30, 1987 | $21.47 | $20.20 | −$1.27 |
| Jul 31, 1987 | $21.43 | $20.03 | −$1.40 |
| Aug 3, 1987 | $22.21 | $20.95 | −$1.26 |
| Aug 4, 1987 | $21.82 | $20.65 | −$1.17 |
| Aug 5, 1987 | $21.37 | $19.80 | −$1.57 |
| Aug 6, 1987 | $21.17 | $19.75 | −$1.42 |
| Aug 7, 1987 | $21.01 | $19.65 | −$1.36 |
| Aug 10, 1987 | $20.70 | $19.43 | −$1.27 |
| Aug 11, 1987 | $21.07 | $19.45 | −$1.62 |
| Aug 12, 1987 | $20.96 | $19.50 | −$1.46 |
| Aug 13, 1987 | $20.76 | $19.40 | −$1.36 |
| Aug 14, 1987 | $20.53 | $19.25 | −$1.28 |
| Aug 17, 1987 | $19.85 | $18.85 | −$1.00 |
| Aug 18, 1987 | $19.84 | $18.75 | −$1.09 |
| Aug 19, 1987 | $19.71 | $18.50 | −$1.21 |
| Aug 20, 1987 | $19.47 | $18.30 | −$1.17 |
| Aug 21, 1987 | $19.20 | $18.10 | −$1.10 |
| Aug 24, 1987 | $19.18 | $17.48 | −$1.70 |
| Aug 25, 1987 | $19.30 | $17.55 | −$1.75 |
| Aug 26, 1987 | $19.49 | $18.10 | −$1.39 |
| Aug 27, 1987 | $19.69 | $18.28 | −$1.41 |
| Aug 28, 1987 | $19.44 | $18.20 | −$1.24 |
| Aug 31, 1987 | $19.76 | $18.63 | −$1.13 |
| Sep 1, 1987 | $19.61 | $18.43 | −$1.18 |
| Sep 2, 1987 | $19.62 | $18.40 | −$1.22 |
| Sep 3, 1987 | $19.48 | $18.18 | −$1.30 |
| Sep 4, 1987 | $19.34 | $18.13 | −$1.21 |
| Sep 7, 1987 | $19.34 | $17.60 | −$1.74 |
| Sep 8, 1987 | $18.99 | $17.68 | −$1.31 |
| Sep 9, 1987 | $19.43 | $17.90 | −$1.53 |
| Sep 10, 1987 | $19.72 | $18.30 | −$1.42 |
| Sep 11, 1987 | $19.42 | $18.18 | −$1.24 |
| Sep 14, 1987 | $19.64 | $18.15 | −$1.49 |
| Sep 15, 1987 | $19.66 | $18.53 | −$1.13 |
| Sep 16, 1987 | $19.71 | $18.53 | −$1.18 |
| Sep 17, 1987 | $19.58 | $18.43 | −$1.15 |
| Sep 18, 1987 | $19.58 | $18.30 | −$1.28 |
| Sep 21, 1987 | $19.77 | $18.28 | −$1.49 |
| Sep 22, 1987 | $19.35 | $18.48 | −$0.87 |
| Sep 23, 1987 | $19.66 | $18.48 | −$1.18 |
| Sep 24, 1987 | $19.61 | $18.68 | −$0.93 |
| Sep 25, 1987 | $19.47 | $18.60 | −$0.87 |
| Sep 28, 1987 | $19.48 | $18.65 | −$0.83 |
| Sep 29, 1987 | $19.58 | $18.50 | −$1.08 |
| Sep 30, 1987 | $19.62 | $18.48 | −$1.14 |
| Oct 1, 1987 | $19.62 | $18.50 | −$1.12 |
| Oct 2, 1987 | $19.88 | $18.65 | −$1.23 |
| Oct 5, 1987 | $19.81 | $18.78 | −$1.03 |
| Oct 6, 1987 | $19.33 | $18.60 | −$0.73 |
| Oct 7, 1987 | $19.68 | $18.58 | −$1.10 |
| Oct 8, 1987 | $19.77 | $18.63 | −$1.14 |
| Oct 9, 1987 | $19.67 | $18.60 | −$1.07 |
| Oct 12, 1987 | $19.67 | $18.55 | −$1.12 |
| Oct 13, 1987 | $19.66 | $18.55 | −$1.11 |
| Oct 14, 1987 | $19.79 | $18.68 | −$1.11 |
| Oct 15, 1987 | $19.77 | $18.68 | −$1.09 |
| Oct 16, 1987 | $20.23 | $19.00 | −$1.23 |
| Oct 19, 1987 | $19.79 | $19.10 | −$0.69 |
| Oct 20, 1987 | $19.79 | $18.78 | −$1.01 |
| Oct 21, 1987 | $19.93 | $18.93 | −$1.00 |
| Oct 22, 1987 | $20.19 | $19.13 | −$1.06 |
| Oct 23, 1987 | $20.18 | $18.98 | −$1.20 |
| Oct 26, 1987 | $20.00 | $18.75 | −$1.25 |
| Oct 27, 1987 | $20.15 | $18.80 | −$1.35 |
| Oct 28, 1987 | $20.10 | $18.85 | −$1.25 |
| Oct 29, 1987 | $19.93 | $18.75 | −$1.18 |
| Oct 30, 1987 | $19.96 | $18.80 | −$1.16 |
| Nov 2, 1987 | $19.64 | $18.63 | −$1.01 |
| Nov 3, 1987 | $19.39 | $18.38 | −$1.01 |
| Nov 4, 1987 | $19.09 | $17.93 | −$1.16 |
| Nov 5, 1987 | $19.02 | $17.85 | −$1.17 |
| Nov 6, 1987 | $18.73 | $17.95 | −$0.78 |
| Nov 9, 1987 | $18.66 | $17.50 | −$1.16 |
| Nov 10, 1987 | $18.98 | $17.75 | −$1.23 |
| Nov 11, 1987 | $18.92 | $17.80 | −$1.12 |
| Nov 12, 1987 | $18.93 | $17.85 | −$1.08 |
| Nov 13, 1987 | $18.89 | $17.80 | −$1.09 |
| Nov 16, 1987 | $18.69 | $17.68 | −$1.01 |
| Nov 17, 1987 | $18.28 | $17.40 | −$0.88 |
| Nov 18, 1987 | $18.62 | $17.18 | −$1.44 |
| Nov 19, 1987 | $18.55 | $17.48 | −$1.07 |
| Nov 20, 1987 | $18.87 | $17.60 | −$1.27 |
| Nov 23, 1987 | $19.31 | $17.90 | −$1.41 |
| Nov 24, 1987 | $18.73 | $17.83 | −$0.90 |
| Nov 25, 1987 | $18.63 | $17.68 | −$0.95 |
| Nov 26, 1987 | — | $17.73 | — |
| Nov 27, 1987 | $18.63 | $17.78 | −$0.85 |
| Nov 30, 1987 | $18.52 | $17.70 | −$0.82 |
| Dec 1, 1987 | $18.44 | $17.65 | −$0.79 |
| Dec 2, 1987 | $18.59 | $17.70 | −$0.89 |
| Dec 3, 1987 | $18.87 | $17.93 | −$0.94 |
| Dec 4, 1987 | $18.68 | $18.00 | −$0.68 |
| Dec 7, 1987 | $18.30 | $17.78 | −$0.52 |
| Dec 8, 1987 | $18.06 | $17.58 | −$0.48 |
| Dec 9, 1987 | $18.53 | $17.43 | −$1.10 |
| Dec 10, 1987 | $18.51 | $17.55 | −$0.96 |
| Dec 11, 1987 | $18.31 | $17.73 | −$0.58 |
| Dec 14, 1987 | $17.47 | $16.80 | −$0.67 |
| Dec 15, 1987 | $16.75 | $16.20 | −$0.55 |
| Dec 16, 1987 | $15.97 | $15.93 | −$0.04 |
| Dec 17, 1987 | $15.97 | $15.03 | −$0.94 |
| Dec 18, 1987 | $15.57 | $15.60 | +$0.03 |
| Dec 21, 1987 | $15.12 | $15.40 | +$0.28 |
| Dec 22, 1987 | $16.60 | $16.70 | +$0.10 |
| Dec 23, 1987 | $16.64 | $17.25 | +$0.61 |
| Dec 24, 1987 | $16.54 | $17.10 | +$0.56 |
| Dec 28, 1987 | $16.46 | $17.00 | +$0.54 |
| Dec 29, 1987 | $16.95 | $17.38 | +$0.43 |
| Dec 30, 1987 | $16.97 | $17.85 | +$0.88 |
| Dec 31, 1987 | $16.74 | $17.60 | +$0.86 |
“—” means EIA published no price for that benchmark on that date.
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB | $/bbl | Jan 2, 1987 – Dec 31, 1987 | Dec 31, 1987 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB | $/bbl | May 20, 1987 – Dec 31, 1987 | Dec 31, 1987 |
| 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:1987 daily prices (CSV)