Oil Prices in 2009: WTI & Brent History and Monthly Averages
WTI average
$61.95
EIA annual average
WTI vs prior year
−37.8%
2008: $99.67
Brent average
$61.74
EIA annual average
Brent vs prior year
−36.3%
2008: $96.94
WTI averaged $61.95 per barrel in 2009, down $37.72 (37.8%) from 2008; that was the lowest annual average since 2005.
Monthly average prices in 2009
| Month | WTI avg | WTI high | WTI low | Brent avg | Brent − WTI (matched dates) | WTI (September 2026 $) | Brent (September 2026 $) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | $41.71 | $48.61 | $35.38 | $43.44 | +$1.73 | $66.56 | $69.32 |
| February | $39.09 | $44.15 | $34.03 | $43.32 | +$4.24 | $62.07 | $68.79 |
| March | $47.94 | $53.87 | $40.07 | $46.54 | −$1.40 | $75.94 | $73.72 |
| April | $49.65 | $52.61 | $45.82 | $50.18 | +$0.54 | $78.45 | $79.29 |
| May | $59.03 | $66.31 | $52.18 | $57.30 | −$1.73 | $93.00 | $90.28 |
| June | $69.64 | $72.69 | $66.14 | $68.61 | −$1.03 | $108.79 | $107.18 |
| July | $64.15 | $69.32 | $59.62 | $64.44 | +$0.28 | $100.37 | $100.82 |
| August | $71.05 | $73.68 | $66.72 | $72.51 | +$1.46 | $110.92 | $113.20 |
| September | $69.41 | $72.50 | $65.74 | $67.65 | −$1.76 | $108.29 | $105.54 |
| October | $75.72 | $81.03 | $69.60 | $72.77 | −$2.95 | $118.02 | $113.42 |
| November | $77.99 | $80.30 | $74.88 | $76.66 | −$1.33 | $121.47 | $119.40 |
| December | $74.47 | $79.39 | $69.48 | $74.46 | −$0.01 | $116.19 | $116.18 |
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 $34.03 on Feb 12, 2009, WTI climbed to $81.03 by Oct 21, 2009, a 138% gain. Although the annual average fell, prices ended the year higher than they started: $46.17 on Jan 2, 2009 against $79.39 on Dec 31, 2009. The price moved by 5% or more in a single day 26 times. Second-half prices averaged $72.07, up from $51.51 in the first half.
The Brent–WTI spread changed sign during 2009: Brent's monthly average was below WTI's in 7 of 12 months and above it in the rest, for an average of −$0.21 on 252 matched dates. Brent averaged $61.74, down $35.20 (36.3%) from 2008.
The monthly average was lowest in February ($39.09) and highest in November ($77.99). In September 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the 2009 average is $97.30, higher than 2025's real average by $28.86 (42.2%). The 2000s as a whole averaged $51.10, so 2009 ran above its decade. Of 40 complete years with an EIA annual average, 2009 ranks 15th highest.
2009 summary statistics
| Measure | WTI | Brent | Brent − WTI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $61.95 | $61.74 | −$0.21 |
| Change vs 2008 average | −$37.72 | −$35.20 | +$2.52 |
| Highest daily price | $81.03 Oct 21, 2009 | $78.68 Dec 1, 2009 | — |
| Lowest daily price | $34.03 Feb 12, 2009 | $39.41 Feb 18, 2009 | — |
| Highest daily spread | — | — | +$13.20 Feb 12, 2009 |
| Lowest daily spread | — | — | −$5.00 Oct 5, 2009 |
| First observation | $46.17 Jan 2, 2009 | $42.94 Jan 2, 2009 | — |
| Last observation | $79.39 Dec 31, 2009 | $77.91 Dec 31, 2009 | — |
| Published daily observations | 252 | 252 | 252 matched |
| Average in September 2026 dollars | $97.30 | $96.97 | — |
Daily spot prices in 2009
Show all 252 dates (Jan 2, 2009 – Dec 31, 2009)
| Date | WTI | Brent | Brent − WTI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2, 2009 | $46.17 | $42.94 | −$3.23 |
| Jan 5, 2009 | $48.61 | $45.84 | −$2.77 |
| Jan 6, 2009 | $48.56 | $48.89 | +$0.33 |
| Jan 7, 2009 | $42.75 | $46.23 | +$3.48 |
| Jan 8, 2009 | $41.68 | $42.94 | +$1.26 |
| Jan 9, 2009 | $40.69 | $42.34 | +$1.65 |
| Jan 12, 2009 | $37.65 | $40.86 | +$3.21 |
| Jan 13, 2009 | $37.77 | $43.05 | +$5.28 |
| Jan 14, 2009 | $37.43 | $42.27 | +$4.84 |
| Jan 15, 2009 | $35.41 | $42.32 | +$6.91 |
| Jan 16, 2009 | $35.38 | $43.42 | +$8.04 |
| Jan 20, 2009 | $38.57 | $41.22 | +$2.65 |
| Jan 21, 2009 | $42.56 | $39.90 | −$2.66 |
| Jan 22, 2009 | $42.33 | $42.42 | +$0.09 |
| Jan 23, 2009 | $45.12 | $43.13 | −$1.99 |
| Jan 26, 2009 | $46.50 | $48.00 | +$1.50 |
| Jan 27, 2009 | $41.67 | $42.86 | +$1.19 |
| Jan 28, 2009 | $42.04 | $42.86 | +$0.82 |
| Jan 29, 2009 | $41.58 | $43.13 | +$1.55 |
| Jan 30, 2009 | $41.73 | $44.17 | +$2.44 |
| Feb 2, 2009 | $41.35 | $42.96 | +$1.61 |
| Feb 3, 2009 | $40.87 | $43.15 | +$2.28 |
| Feb 4, 2009 | $40.27 | $43.68 | +$3.41 |
| Feb 5, 2009 | $41.15 | $43.92 | +$2.77 |
| Feb 6, 2009 | $40.24 | $44.49 | +$4.25 |
| Feb 9, 2009 | $39.58 | $47.23 | +$7.65 |
| Feb 10, 2009 | $37.54 | $45.88 | +$8.34 |
| Feb 11, 2009 | $35.93 | $44.24 | +$8.31 |
| Feb 12, 2009 | $34.03 | $47.23 | +$13.20 |
| Feb 13, 2009 | $37.63 | $43.36 | +$5.73 |
| Feb 17, 2009 | $34.96 | $39.69 | +$4.73 |
| Feb 18, 2009 | $34.67 | $39.41 | +$4.74 |
| Feb 19, 2009 | $39.60 | $42.36 | +$2.76 |
| Feb 20, 2009 | $39.35 | $42.19 | +$2.84 |
| Feb 23, 2009 | $37.66 | $41.27 | +$3.61 |
| Feb 24, 2009 | $38.86 | $40.18 | +$1.32 |
| Feb 25, 2009 | $41.64 | $42.37 | +$0.73 |
| Feb 26, 2009 | $43.18 | $45.15 | +$1.97 |
| Feb 27, 2009 | $44.15 | $44.41 | +$0.26 |
| Mar 2, 2009 | $40.07 | $42.60 | +$2.53 |
| Mar 3, 2009 | $41.57 | $42.72 | +$1.15 |
| Mar 4, 2009 | $45.28 | $46.07 | +$0.79 |
| Mar 5, 2009 | $43.54 | $44.45 | +$0.91 |
| Mar 6, 2009 | $45.43 | $43.48 | −$1.95 |
| Mar 9, 2009 | $47.01 | $44.55 | −$2.46 |
| Mar 10, 2009 | $45.68 | $44.99 | −$0.69 |
| Mar 11, 2009 | $42.46 | $43.20 | +$0.74 |
| Mar 12, 2009 | $46.91 | $42.19 | −$4.72 |
| Mar 13, 2009 | $46.22 | $44.97 | −$1.25 |
| Mar 16, 2009 | $47.33 | $44.12 | −$3.21 |
| Mar 17, 2009 | $48.97 | $45.53 | −$3.44 |
| Mar 18, 2009 | $48.12 | $45.22 | −$2.90 |
| Mar 19, 2009 | $51.46 | $48.03 | −$3.43 |
| Mar 20, 2009 | $51.55 | $49.27 | −$2.28 |
| Mar 23, 2009 | $53.05 | $51.84 | −$1.21 |
| Mar 24, 2009 | $53.36 | $51.32 | −$2.04 |
| Mar 25, 2009 | $52.24 | $51.46 | −$0.78 |
| Mar 26, 2009 | $53.87 | $51.89 | −$1.98 |
| Mar 27, 2009 | $52.41 | $50.81 | −$1.60 |
| Mar 30, 2009 | $48.49 | $49.05 | +$0.56 |
| Mar 31, 2009 | $49.64 | $46.13 | −$3.51 |
| Apr 1, 2009 | $48.46 | $45.92 | −$2.54 |
| Apr 2, 2009 | $52.61 | $50.89 | −$1.72 |
| Apr 3, 2009 | $52.52 | $50.48 | −$2.04 |
| Apr 6, 2009 | $51.10 | $50.91 | −$0.19 |
| Apr 7, 2009 | $49.13 | $50.62 | +$1.49 |
| Apr 8, 2009 | $49.37 | $52.06 | +$2.69 |
| Apr 9, 2009 | $52.24 | $52.33 | +$0.09 |
| Apr 13, 2009 | $50.22 | $50.73 | +$0.51 |
| Apr 14, 2009 | $49.51 | $52.06 | +$2.55 |
| Apr 15, 2009 | $49.26 | $51.31 | +$2.05 |
| Apr 16, 2009 | $49.97 | $51.83 | +$1.86 |
| Apr 17, 2009 | $50.36 | $52.02 | +$1.66 |
| Apr 20, 2009 | $45.82 | $49.06 | +$3.24 |
| Apr 21, 2009 | $46.65 | $48.69 | +$2.04 |
| Apr 22, 2009 | $47.41 | $48.50 | +$1.09 |
| Apr 23, 2009 | $48.46 | $48.29 | −$0.17 |
| Apr 24, 2009 | $50.65 | $50.29 | −$0.36 |
| Apr 27, 2009 | $49.29 | $48.67 | −$0.62 |
| Apr 28, 2009 | $49.01 | $48.64 | −$0.37 |
| Apr 29, 2009 | $50.19 | $50.22 | +$0.03 |
| Apr 30, 2009 | $50.35 | $50.30 | −$0.05 |
| May 1, 2009 | $52.18 | $51.75 | −$0.43 |
| May 4, 2009 | $54.45 | $53.26 | −$1.19 |
| May 5, 2009 | $53.81 | $53.16 | −$0.65 |
| May 6, 2009 | $56.29 | $55.07 | −$1.22 |
| May 7, 2009 | $56.67 | $56.63 | −$0.04 |
| May 8, 2009 | $58.58 | $56.02 | −$2.56 |
| May 11, 2009 | $57.79 | $55.99 | −$1.80 |
| May 12, 2009 | $58.81 | $56.52 | −$2.29 |
| May 13, 2009 | $58.00 | $56.84 | −$1.16 |
| May 14, 2009 | $58.58 | $56.25 | −$2.33 |
| May 15, 2009 | $56.52 | $56.33 | −$0.19 |
| May 18, 2009 | $58.99 | $56.51 | −$2.48 |
| May 19, 2009 | $59.52 | $57.12 | −$2.40 |
| May 20, 2009 | $61.45 | $59.10 | −$2.35 |
| May 21, 2009 | $60.49 | $58.02 | −$2.47 |
| May 22, 2009 | $61.15 | $58.70 | −$2.45 |
| May 26, 2009 | $62.48 | $59.05 | −$3.43 |
| May 27, 2009 | $63.41 | $61.28 | −$2.13 |
| May 28, 2009 | $65.09 | $63.47 | −$1.62 |
| May 29, 2009 | $66.31 | $64.98 | −$1.33 |
| Jun 1, 2009 | $68.59 | $66.60 | −$1.99 |
| Jun 2, 2009 | $68.58 | $67.67 | −$0.91 |
| Jun 3, 2009 | $66.14 | $66.15 | +$0.01 |
| Jun 4, 2009 | $68.80 | $67.68 | −$1.12 |
| Jun 5, 2009 | $68.43 | $67.77 | −$0.66 |
| Jun 8, 2009 | $68.05 | $67.61 | −$0.44 |
| Jun 9, 2009 | $70.02 | $68.94 | −$1.08 |
| Jun 10, 2009 | $71.38 | $70.52 | −$0.86 |
| Jun 11, 2009 | $72.69 | $71.71 | −$0.98 |
| Jun 12, 2009 | $72.13 | $70.62 | −$1.51 |
| Jun 15, 2009 | $70.54 | $68.49 | −$2.05 |
| Jun 16, 2009 | $70.47 | $70.52 | +$0.05 |
| Jun 17, 2009 | $71.07 | $68.95 | −$2.12 |
| Jun 18, 2009 | $71.42 | $69.96 | −$1.46 |
| Jun 19, 2009 | $69.60 | $70.48 | +$0.88 |
| Jun 22, 2009 | $67.09 | $66.13 | −$0.96 |
| Jun 23, 2009 | $68.81 | $66.36 | −$2.45 |
| Jun 24, 2009 | $68.14 | $68.47 | +$0.33 |
| Jun 25, 2009 | $69.70 | $68.82 | −$0.88 |
| Jun 26, 2009 | $69.16 | $68.10 | −$1.06 |
| Jun 29, 2009 | $71.47 | $69.75 | −$1.72 |
| Jun 30, 2009 | $69.82 | $68.11 | −$1.71 |
| Jul 1, 2009 | $69.32 | $68.52 | −$0.80 |
| Jul 2, 2009 | $66.68 | $65.74 | −$0.94 |
| Jul 6, 2009 | $64.06 | $63.12 | −$0.94 |
| Jul 7, 2009 | $62.88 | $61.54 | −$1.34 |
| Jul 8, 2009 | $60.15 | $59.71 | −$0.44 |
| Jul 9, 2009 | $60.36 | $59.17 | −$1.19 |
| Jul 10, 2009 | $59.93 | $58.43 | −$1.50 |
| Jul 13, 2009 | $59.69 | $58.25 | −$1.44 |
| Jul 14, 2009 | $59.62 | $60.48 | +$0.86 |
| Jul 15, 2009 | $61.49 | $61.25 | −$0.24 |
| Jul 16, 2009 | $62.07 | $62.02 | −$0.05 |
| Jul 17, 2009 | $63.56 | $63.54 | −$0.02 |
| Jul 20, 2009 | $63.93 | $64.64 | +$0.71 |
| Jul 21, 2009 | $64.81 | $65.93 | +$1.12 |
| Jul 22, 2009 | $64.58 | $65.36 | +$0.78 |
| Jul 23, 2009 | $66.10 | $68.06 | +$1.96 |
| Jul 24, 2009 | $66.96 | $68.82 | +$1.86 |
| Jul 27, 2009 | $68.34 | $69.78 | +$1.44 |
| Jul 28, 2009 | $67.24 | $68.53 | +$1.29 |
| Jul 29, 2009 | $63.42 | $65.79 | +$2.37 |
| Jul 30, 2009 | $66.90 | $68.82 | +$1.92 |
| Jul 31, 2009 | $69.26 | $70.08 | +$0.82 |
| Aug 3, 2009 | $71.59 | $72.90 | +$1.31 |
| Aug 4, 2009 | $71.40 | $73.82 | +$2.42 |
| Aug 5, 2009 | $71.97 | $74.39 | +$2.42 |
| Aug 6, 2009 | $71.96 | $74.61 | +$2.65 |
| Aug 7, 2009 | $70.97 | $74.21 | +$3.24 |
| Aug 10, 2009 | $70.59 | $73.79 | +$3.20 |
| Aug 11, 2009 | $69.46 | $71.58 | +$2.12 |
| Aug 12, 2009 | $70.08 | $74.03 | +$3.95 |
| Aug 13, 2009 | $70.57 | $73.76 | +$3.19 |
| Aug 14, 2009 | $67.51 | $71.33 | +$3.82 |
| Aug 17, 2009 | $66.72 | $68.65 | +$1.93 |
| Aug 18, 2009 | $69.22 | $68.66 | −$0.56 |
| Aug 19, 2009 | $72.54 | $72.81 | +$0.27 |
| Aug 20, 2009 | $72.40 | $73.75 | +$1.35 |
| Aug 21, 2009 | $73.12 | $73.71 | +$0.59 |
| Aug 24, 2009 | $73.68 | $74.34 | +$0.66 |
| Aug 25, 2009 | $71.60 | $73.10 | +$1.50 |
| Aug 26, 2009 | $71.38 | $70.74 | −$0.64 |
| Aug 27, 2009 | $72.49 | $70.68 | −$1.81 |
| Aug 28, 2009 | $72.72 | $72.80 | +$0.08 |
| Aug 31, 2009 | $69.97 | $69.02 | −$0.95 |
| Sep 1, 2009 | $68.11 | $68.78 | +$0.67 |
| Sep 2, 2009 | $68.03 | $67.60 | −$0.43 |
| Sep 3, 2009 | $67.90 | $66.78 | −$1.12 |
| Sep 4, 2009 | $67.95 | $65.84 | −$2.11 |
| Sep 8, 2009 | $71.08 | $69.20 | −$1.88 |
| Sep 9, 2009 | $71.27 | $69.76 | −$1.51 |
| Sep 10, 2009 | $71.95 | $68.96 | −$2.99 |
| Sep 11, 2009 | $69.34 | $68.76 | −$0.58 |
| Sep 14, 2009 | $68.86 | $66.91 | −$1.95 |
| Sep 15, 2009 | $70.81 | $66.53 | −$4.28 |
| Sep 16, 2009 | $72.50 | $68.51 | −$3.99 |
| Sep 17, 2009 | $72.48 | $71.56 | −$0.92 |
| Sep 18, 2009 | $71.95 | $70.72 | −$1.23 |
| Sep 21, 2009 | $69.74 | $68.11 | −$1.63 |
| Sep 22, 2009 | $71.50 | $69.65 | −$1.85 |
| Sep 23, 2009 | $68.74 | $67.43 | −$1.31 |
| Sep 24, 2009 | $65.74 | $64.99 | −$0.75 |
| Sep 25, 2009 | $65.91 | $64.60 | −$1.31 |
| Sep 28, 2009 | $66.69 | $65.43 | −$1.26 |
| Sep 29, 2009 | $66.56 | $64.63 | −$1.93 |
| Sep 30, 2009 | $70.46 | $65.82 | −$4.64 |
| Oct 1, 2009 | $70.67 | $67.12 | −$3.55 |
| Oct 2, 2009 | $69.80 | $66.50 | −$3.30 |
| Oct 5, 2009 | $70.26 | $65.26 | −$5.00 |
| Oct 6, 2009 | $70.71 | $68.51 | −$2.20 |
| Oct 7, 2009 | $69.60 | $67.65 | −$1.95 |
| Oct 8, 2009 | $71.69 | $68.47 | −$3.22 |
| Oct 9, 2009 | $71.75 | $69.45 | −$2.30 |
| Oct 12, 2009 | $73.24 | $70.75 | −$2.49 |
| Oct 13, 2009 | $74.10 | $70.81 | −$3.29 |
| Oct 14, 2009 | $75.20 | $72.16 | −$3.04 |
| Oct 15, 2009 | $77.55 | $73.14 | −$4.41 |
| Oct 16, 2009 | $78.54 | $74.58 | −$3.96 |
| Oct 19, 2009 | $79.47 | $75.86 | −$3.61 |
| Oct 20, 2009 | $78.87 | $76.51 | −$2.36 |
| Oct 21, 2009 | $81.03 | $77.74 | −$3.29 |
| Oct 22, 2009 | $80.82 | $78.36 | −$2.46 |
| Oct 23, 2009 | $80.11 | $77.72 | −$2.39 |
| Oct 26, 2009 | $78.61 | $76.45 | −$2.16 |
| Oct 27, 2009 | $79.45 | $76.69 | −$2.76 |
| Oct 28, 2009 | $77.39 | $75.11 | −$2.28 |
| Oct 29, 2009 | $79.84 | $77.18 | −$2.66 |
| Oct 30, 2009 | $77.04 | $74.91 | −$2.13 |
| Nov 2, 2009 | $78.08 | $75.56 | −$2.52 |
| Nov 3, 2009 | $79.58 | $75.68 | −$3.90 |
| Nov 4, 2009 | $80.30 | $78.21 | −$2.09 |
| Nov 5, 2009 | $79.64 | $78.02 | −$1.62 |
| Nov 6, 2009 | $77.40 | $75.51 | −$1.89 |
| Nov 9, 2009 | $79.44 | $77.18 | −$2.26 |
| Nov 10, 2009 | $79.01 | $77.07 | −$1.94 |
| Nov 11, 2009 | $79.16 | $76.99 | −$2.17 |
| Nov 12, 2009 | $77.25 | $75.18 | −$2.07 |
| Nov 13, 2009 | $76.34 | $74.81 | −$1.53 |
| Nov 16, 2009 | $78.91 | $77.14 | −$1.77 |
| Nov 17, 2009 | $79.08 | $77.36 | −$1.72 |
| Nov 18, 2009 | $79.55 | $78.64 | −$0.91 |
| Nov 19, 2009 | $77.47 | $76.45 | −$1.02 |
| Nov 20, 2009 | $76.83 | $75.61 | −$1.22 |
| Nov 23, 2009 | $76.49 | $78.14 | +$1.65 |
| Nov 24, 2009 | $74.88 | $75.35 | +$0.47 |
| Nov 25, 2009 | $77.25 | $76.57 | −$0.68 |
| Nov 27, 2009 | $75.95 | $76.00 | +$0.05 |
| Nov 30, 2009 | $77.19 | $77.77 | +$0.58 |
| Dec 1, 2009 | $78.39 | $78.68 | +$0.29 |
| Dec 2, 2009 | $76.62 | $76.96 | +$0.34 |
| Dec 3, 2009 | $76.42 | $77.76 | +$1.34 |
| Dec 4, 2009 | $75.41 | $77.74 | +$2.33 |
| Dec 7, 2009 | $73.89 | $76.18 | +$2.29 |
| Dec 8, 2009 | $72.59 | $74.93 | +$2.34 |
| Dec 9, 2009 | $70.67 | $73.63 | +$2.96 |
| Dec 10, 2009 | $70.54 | $70.91 | +$0.37 |
| Dec 11, 2009 | $69.86 | $70.07 | +$0.21 |
| Dec 14, 2009 | $69.48 | $71.19 | +$1.71 |
| Dec 15, 2009 | $70.62 | $71.33 | +$0.71 |
| Dec 16, 2009 | $72.64 | $73.34 | +$0.70 |
| Dec 17, 2009 | $72.58 | $71.28 | −$1.30 |
| Dec 18, 2009 | $73.30 | $71.87 | −$1.43 |
| Dec 21, 2009 | $72.71 | $72.74 | +$0.03 |
| Dec 22, 2009 | $73.48 | $71.64 | −$1.84 |
| Dec 23, 2009 | $76.03 | $73.87 | −$2.16 |
| Dec 24, 2009 | $76.83 | $75.15 | −$1.68 |
| Dec 28, 2009 | $78.67 | $76.59 | −$2.08 |
| Dec 29, 2009 | $78.87 | $76.65 | −$2.22 |
| Dec 30, 2009 | $79.35 | $77.62 | −$1.73 |
| Dec 31, 2009 | $79.39 | $77.91 | −$1.48 |
“—” means EIA published no price for that benchmark on that date.
Price episode covering 2009: 2008 spike and crash
Source and methodology
| Provider | Series | Units | Coverage | Latest observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RWTC — WTI spot price FOB | $/bbl | Jan 2, 2009 – Dec 31, 2009 | Dec 31, 2009 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB | $/bbl | Jan 2, 2009 – Dec 31, 2009 | Dec 31, 2009 |
| 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:2009 daily prices (CSV)