Oil Prices in 2012: WTI & Brent History and Monthly Averages
WTI average
$94.05
EIA annual average
WTI vs prior year
−0.9%
2011: $94.88
Brent average
$111.63
EIA annual average
Brent vs prior year
+0.3%
2011: $111.26
WTI averaged $94.05 per barrel in 2012, down $0.83 (0.9%) from 2011; that was the lowest annual average since 2010.
Monthly average prices in 2012
| Month | WTI avg | WTI high | WTI low | Brent avg | Brent − WTI (matched dates) | WTI (September 2026 $) | Brent (September 2026 $) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | $100.27 | $103.22 | $98.15 | $110.69 | +$10.41 | $149.05 | $164.54 |
| February | $102.20 | $109.39 | $96.36 | $119.33 | +$17.12 | $151.26 | $176.61 |
| March | $106.16 | $108.76 | $102.79 | $125.45 | +$19.29 | $155.93 | $184.27 |
| April | $103.32 | $105.25 | $101.12 | $119.75 | +$16.38 | $151.30 | $175.36 |
| May | $94.66 | $106.17 | $86.52 | $110.34 | +$15.84 | $138.78 | $161.77 |
| June | $82.30 | $85.05 | $77.72 | $95.16 | +$12.85 | $120.84 | $139.72 |
| July | $87.90 | $92.78 | $83.72 | $102.62 | +$14.72 | $129.27 | $150.92 |
| August | $94.13 | $96.89 | $87.22 | $113.36 | +$19.22 | $137.67 | $165.79 |
| September | $94.51 | $98.94 | $89.92 | $112.86 | +$18.35 | $137.61 | $164.33 |
| October | $89.49 | $92.44 | $85.39 | $111.71 | +$22.22 | $130.35 | $162.72 |
| November | $86.53 | $89.05 | $84.50 | $109.06 | +$22.53 | $126.64 | $159.61 |
| December | $87.86 | $91.83 | $85.14 | $109.49 | +$21.63 | $128.93 | $160.68 |
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.
WTI was at or above $100 on 67 days of 252 published observations. The steepest fall within the year ran from $109.39 on Feb 24, 2012 to $77.72 on Jun 28, 2012, a 29% drop. From $77.72 on Jun 28, 2012, WTI climbed to $98.94 by Sep 14, 2012, a 27% gain. Between May and June the monthly average fell $12.36, the largest month-to-month change of the year.
Brent carried a wide premium over WTI in 2012, averaging $17.62 more on 250 matched dates, with the widest daily gap $24.87 on Oct 10, 2012. Brent averaged $111.63, up $0.37 (0.3%) from 2011.
Monthly averages peaked early, at $106.16 in March, and bottomed at $82.30 in June. In September 2026 dollars (CPI-U), the 2012 average is $138.02, higher than 2025's real average by $69.59 (101.7%). The 2010s as a whole averaged $72.42, so 2012 ran above its decade. Of 40 complete years with an EIA annual average, 2012 ranks 5th highest.
2012 summary statistics
| Measure | WTI | Brent | Brent − WTI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $94.05 | $111.63 | +$17.62 |
| Change vs 2011 average | −$0.83 | +$0.37 | +$1.10 |
| Highest daily price | $109.39 Feb 24, 2012 | $128.14 Mar 13, 2012 | — |
| Lowest daily price | $77.72 Jun 28, 2012 | $88.69 Jun 25, 2012 | — |
| Highest daily spread | — | — | +$24.87 Oct 10, 2012 |
| Lowest daily spread | — | — | +$8.16 Jan 3, 2012 |
| First observation | $102.96 Jan 3, 2012 | $111.12 Jan 3, 2012 | — |
| Last observation | $91.83 Dec 31, 2012 | $110.80 Dec 31, 2012 | — |
| Published daily observations | 252 | 250 | 250 matched |
| Average in September 2026 dollars | $138.02 | $163.82 | — |
Daily spot prices in 2012
Show all 252 dates (Jan 3, 2012 – Dec 31, 2012)
| Date | WTI | Brent | Brent − WTI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 3, 2012 | $102.96 | $111.12 | +$8.16 |
| Jan 4, 2012 | $103.22 | $113.37 | +$10.15 |
| Jan 5, 2012 | $101.81 | $113.59 | +$11.78 |
| Jan 6, 2012 | $101.56 | $111.96 | +$10.40 |
| Jan 9, 2012 | $101.31 | $111.07 | +$9.76 |
| Jan 10, 2012 | $102.24 | $113.30 | +$11.06 |
| Jan 11, 2012 | $100.89 | $111.66 | +$10.77 |
| Jan 12, 2012 | $99.03 | $112.97 | +$13.94 |
| Jan 13, 2012 | $98.69 | $109.88 | +$11.19 |
| Jan 17, 2012 | $100.70 | $110.55 | +$9.85 |
| Jan 18, 2012 | $100.61 | $109.81 | +$9.20 |
| Jan 19, 2012 | $100.32 | $109.54 | +$9.22 |
| Jan 20, 2012 | $98.15 | $108.50 | +$10.35 |
| Jan 23, 2012 | $99.47 | $109.46 | +$9.99 |
| Jan 24, 2012 | $98.84 | $108.38 | +$9.54 |
| Jan 25, 2012 | $99.23 | $108.48 | +$9.25 |
| Jan 26, 2012 | $99.76 | $109.08 | +$9.32 |
| Jan 27, 2012 | $99.47 | $110.50 | +$11.03 |
| Jan 30, 2012 | $98.75 | $110.24 | +$11.49 |
| Jan 31, 2012 | $98.46 | $110.26 | +$11.80 |
| Feb 1, 2012 | $97.63 | $111.96 | +$14.33 |
| Feb 2, 2012 | $96.36 | $110.96 | +$14.60 |
| Feb 3, 2012 | $97.80 | $112.56 | +$14.76 |
| Feb 6, 2012 | $96.89 | $115.47 | +$18.58 |
| Feb 7, 2012 | $98.55 | $116.86 | +$18.31 |
| Feb 8, 2012 | $98.80 | $117.18 | +$18.38 |
| Feb 9, 2012 | $99.88 | $118.40 | +$18.52 |
| Feb 10, 2012 | $98.68 | $118.13 | +$19.45 |
| Feb 13, 2012 | $100.39 | $118.73 | +$18.34 |
| Feb 14, 2012 | $100.82 | $118.30 | +$17.48 |
| Feb 15, 2012 | $101.82 | $120.25 | +$18.43 |
| Feb 16, 2012 | $102.33 | $121.00 | +$18.67 |
| Feb 17, 2012 | $103.27 | $120.69 | +$17.42 |
| Feb 21, 2012 | $105.88 | $120.85 | +$14.97 |
| Feb 22, 2012 | $105.99 | $123.07 | +$17.08 |
| Feb 23, 2012 | $107.44 | $124.53 | +$17.09 |
| Feb 24, 2012 | $109.39 | $124.89 | +$15.50 |
| Feb 27, 2012 | $108.49 | $126.46 | +$17.97 |
| Feb 28, 2012 | $106.59 | $124.02 | +$17.43 |
| Feb 29, 2012 | $107.08 | $122.23 | +$15.15 |
| Mar 1, 2012 | $108.76 | $125.76 | +$17.00 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | $106.68 | $125.93 | +$19.25 |
| Mar 5, 2012 | $106.70 | $126.68 | +$19.98 |
| Mar 6, 2012 | $104.71 | $125.03 | +$20.32 |
| Mar 7, 2012 | $106.16 | $125.37 | +$19.21 |
| Mar 8, 2012 | $106.65 | $127.96 | +$21.31 |
| Mar 9, 2012 | $107.40 | $128.08 | +$20.68 |
| Mar 12, 2012 | $106.34 | $127.27 | +$20.93 |
| Mar 13, 2012 | $106.70 | $128.14 | +$21.44 |
| Mar 14, 2012 | $105.49 | $126.98 | +$21.49 |
| Mar 15, 2012 | $105.19 | $123.63 | +$18.44 |
| Mar 16, 2012 | $107.03 | $125.09 | +$18.06 |
| Mar 19, 2012 | $108.09 | $125.76 | +$17.67 |
| Mar 20, 2012 | $105.68 | $124.38 | +$18.70 |
| Mar 21, 2012 | $106.87 | $123.89 | +$17.02 |
| Mar 22, 2012 | $104.98 | $122.49 | +$17.51 |
| Mar 23, 2012 | $106.43 | $125.21 | +$18.78 |
| Mar 26, 2012 | $107.07 | $125.85 | +$18.78 |
| Mar 27, 2012 | $107.32 | $125.25 | +$17.93 |
| Mar 28, 2012 | $105.40 | $124.41 | +$19.01 |
| Mar 29, 2012 | $102.79 | $123.23 | +$20.44 |
| Mar 30, 2012 | $103.03 | $123.41 | +$20.38 |
| Apr 2, 2012 | $105.25 | $124.44 | +$19.19 |
| Apr 3, 2012 | $104.02 | $125.66 | +$21.64 |
| Apr 4, 2012 | $101.53 | $123.04 | +$21.51 |
| Apr 5, 2012 | $103.29 | $123.58 | +$20.29 |
| Apr 9, 2012 | $102.45 | — | — |
| Apr 10, 2012 | $101.12 | $121.89 | +$20.77 |
| Apr 11, 2012 | $102.66 | $120.41 | +$17.75 |
| Apr 12, 2012 | $103.69 | $120.57 | +$16.88 |
| Apr 13, 2012 | $102.84 | $120.62 | +$17.78 |
| Apr 16, 2012 | $102.92 | $118.23 | +$15.31 |
| Apr 17, 2012 | $104.23 | $117.41 | +$13.18 |
| Apr 18, 2012 | $102.65 | $115.18 | +$12.53 |
| Apr 19, 2012 | $102.38 | $117.00 | +$14.62 |
| Apr 20, 2012 | $103.58 | $118.08 | +$14.50 |
| Apr 23, 2012 | $102.68 | $116.66 | +$13.98 |
| Apr 24, 2012 | $103.10 | $117.74 | +$14.64 |
| Apr 25, 2012 | $103.72 | $117.45 | +$13.73 |
| Apr 26, 2012 | $104.56 | $119.33 | +$14.77 |
| Apr 27, 2012 | $104.86 | $119.30 | +$14.44 |
| Apr 30, 2012 | $104.89 | $118.66 | +$13.77 |
| May 1, 2012 | $106.17 | $119.57 | +$13.40 |
| May 2, 2012 | $105.25 | $117.57 | +$12.32 |
| May 3, 2012 | $102.56 | $115.91 | +$13.35 |
| May 4, 2012 | $98.49 | $111.66 | +$13.17 |
| May 7, 2012 | $97.86 | — | — |
| May 8, 2012 | $97.13 | $110.48 | +$13.35 |
| May 9, 2012 | $96.80 | $111.89 | +$15.09 |
| May 10, 2012 | $97.10 | $112.24 | +$15.14 |
| May 11, 2012 | $96.03 | $112.50 | +$16.47 |
| May 14, 2012 | $94.75 | $110.79 | +$16.04 |
| May 15, 2012 | $93.97 | $111.40 | +$17.43 |
| May 16, 2012 | $92.78 | $109.80 | +$17.02 |
| May 17, 2012 | $92.53 | $109.31 | +$16.78 |
| May 18, 2012 | $91.51 | $108.03 | +$16.52 |
| May 21, 2012 | $92.57 | $109.02 | +$16.45 |
| May 22, 2012 | $91.44 | $109.76 | +$18.32 |
| May 23, 2012 | $89.40 | $106.88 | +$17.48 |
| May 24, 2012 | $90.36 | $107.20 | +$16.84 |
| May 25, 2012 | $90.64 | $107.86 | +$17.22 |
| May 29, 2012 | $90.75 | $107.55 | +$16.80 |
| May 30, 2012 | $87.79 | $103.85 | +$16.06 |
| May 31, 2012 | $86.52 | $103.86 | +$17.34 |
| Jun 1, 2012 | $83.17 | $98.63 | +$15.46 |
| Jun 4, 2012 | $83.95 | $97.74 | +$13.79 |
| Jun 5, 2012 | $84.31 | $98.65 | +$14.34 |
| Jun 6, 2012 | $85.05 | $101.14 | +$16.09 |
| Jun 7, 2012 | $84.78 | $100.05 | +$15.27 |
| Jun 8, 2012 | $84.08 | $97.57 | +$13.49 |
| Jun 11, 2012 | $82.58 | $98.60 | +$16.02 |
| Jun 12, 2012 | $83.35 | $96.59 | +$13.24 |
| Jun 13, 2012 | $82.56 | $97.29 | +$14.73 |
| Jun 14, 2012 | $83.83 | $96.46 | +$12.63 |
| Jun 15, 2012 | $84.03 | $97.13 | +$13.10 |
| Jun 18, 2012 | $83.26 | $95.21 | +$11.95 |
| Jun 19, 2012 | $83.99 | $95.14 | +$11.15 |
| Jun 20, 2012 | $81.06 | $93.50 | +$12.44 |
| Jun 21, 2012 | $77.91 | $89.22 | +$11.31 |
| Jun 22, 2012 | $79.33 | $89.22 | +$9.89 |
| Jun 25, 2012 | $78.76 | $88.69 | +$9.93 |
| Jun 26, 2012 | $79.34 | $90.19 | +$10.85 |
| Jun 27, 2012 | $80.27 | $92.06 | +$11.79 |
| Jun 28, 2012 | $77.72 | $91.02 | +$13.30 |
| Jun 29, 2012 | $85.04 | $94.17 | +$9.13 |
| Jul 2, 2012 | $83.72 | $95.28 | +$11.56 |
| Jul 3, 2012 | $87.74 | $99.89 | +$12.15 |
| Jul 5, 2012 | $87.11 | $101.54 | +$14.43 |
| Jul 6, 2012 | $84.37 | $98.50 | +$14.13 |
| Jul 9, 2012 | $85.93 | $99.94 | +$14.01 |
| Jul 10, 2012 | $83.92 | $99.15 | +$15.23 |
| Jul 11, 2012 | $85.88 | $99.23 | +$13.35 |
| Jul 12, 2012 | $86.02 | $99.18 | +$13.16 |
| Jul 13, 2012 | $87.15 | $101.91 | +$14.76 |
| Jul 16, 2012 | $88.41 | $102.10 | +$13.69 |
| Jul 17, 2012 | $89.07 | $104.21 | +$15.14 |
| Jul 18, 2012 | $89.88 | $105.92 | +$16.04 |
| Jul 19, 2012 | $92.78 | $107.79 | +$15.01 |
| Jul 20, 2012 | $91.56 | $106.98 | +$15.42 |
| Jul 23, 2012 | $87.77 | $103.91 | +$16.14 |
| Jul 24, 2012 | $88.28 | $103.57 | +$15.29 |
| Jul 25, 2012 | $88.80 | $102.35 | +$13.55 |
| Jul 26, 2012 | $89.40 | $104.77 | +$15.37 |
| Jul 27, 2012 | $90.13 | $106.30 | +$16.17 |
| Jul 30, 2012 | $89.80 | $106.54 | +$16.74 |
| Jul 31, 2012 | $88.08 | $105.93 | +$17.85 |
| Aug 1, 2012 | $88.99 | $106.78 | +$17.79 |
| Aug 2, 2012 | $87.22 | $107.55 | +$20.33 |
| Aug 3, 2012 | $91.40 | $109.57 | +$18.17 |
| Aug 6, 2012 | $92.30 | $110.01 | +$17.71 |
| Aug 7, 2012 | $93.68 | $112.39 | +$18.71 |
| Aug 8, 2012 | $93.39 | $113.42 | +$20.03 |
| Aug 9, 2012 | $93.39 | $113.52 | +$20.13 |
| Aug 10, 2012 | $92.94 | $113.13 | +$20.19 |
| Aug 13, 2012 | $92.76 | $114.48 | +$21.72 |
| Aug 14, 2012 | $93.40 | $113.90 | +$20.50 |
| Aug 15, 2012 | $94.35 | $115.51 | +$21.16 |
| Aug 16, 2012 | $95.66 | $116.12 | +$20.46 |
| Aug 17, 2012 | $96.00 | $115.20 | +$19.20 |
| Aug 20, 2012 | $96.03 | $115.50 | +$19.47 |
| Aug 21, 2012 | $96.55 | $116.03 | +$19.48 |
| Aug 22, 2012 | $96.89 | $115.77 | +$18.88 |
| Aug 23, 2012 | $95.87 | $117.45 | +$21.58 |
| Aug 24, 2012 | $95.78 | $115.76 | +$19.98 |
| Aug 27, 2012 | $95.54 | $113.74 | +$18.20 |
| Aug 28, 2012 | $96.30 | $112.62 | +$16.32 |
| Aug 29, 2012 | $95.50 | $112.53 | +$17.03 |
| Aug 30, 2012 | $94.61 | $112.28 | +$17.67 |
| Aug 31, 2012 | $96.47 | $113.93 | +$17.46 |
| Sep 4, 2012 | $95.34 | $114.98 | +$19.64 |
| Sep 5, 2012 | $95.37 | $113.32 | +$17.95 |
| Sep 6, 2012 | $95.58 | $114.50 | +$18.92 |
| Sep 7, 2012 | $96.41 | $113.64 | +$17.23 |
| Sep 10, 2012 | $96.52 | $113.84 | +$17.32 |
| Sep 11, 2012 | $97.03 | $114.86 | +$17.83 |
| Sep 12, 2012 | $97.02 | $114.86 | +$17.84 |
| Sep 13, 2012 | $98.30 | $116.00 | +$17.70 |
| Sep 14, 2012 | $98.94 | $117.48 | +$18.54 |
| Sep 17, 2012 | $96.51 | $116.70 | +$20.19 |
| Sep 18, 2012 | $95.25 | $113.29 | +$18.04 |
| Sep 19, 2012 | $91.97 | $108.49 | +$16.52 |
| Sep 20, 2012 | $92.14 | $109.41 | +$17.27 |
| Sep 21, 2012 | $92.64 | $111.27 | +$18.63 |
| Sep 24, 2012 | $91.68 | $109.20 | +$17.52 |
| Sep 25, 2012 | $91.07 | $110.77 | +$19.70 |
| Sep 26, 2012 | $89.92 | $108.99 | +$19.07 |
| Sep 27, 2012 | $91.89 | $111.45 | +$19.56 |
| Sep 28, 2012 | $92.18 | $111.36 | +$19.18 |
| Oct 1, 2012 | $92.44 | $112.58 | +$20.14 |
| Oct 2, 2012 | $91.88 | $112.49 | +$20.61 |
| Oct 3, 2012 | $88.19 | $109.32 | +$21.13 |
| Oct 4, 2012 | $91.69 | $110.48 | +$18.79 |
| Oct 5, 2012 | $89.87 | $112.17 | +$22.30 |
| Oct 8, 2012 | $89.43 | $112.60 | +$23.17 |
| Oct 9, 2012 | $92.42 | $114.32 | +$21.90 |
| Oct 10, 2012 | $91.24 | $116.11 | +$24.87 |
| Oct 11, 2012 | $92.19 | $116.18 | +$23.99 |
| Oct 12, 2012 | $91.83 | $115.17 | +$23.34 |
| Oct 15, 2012 | $91.84 | $115.00 | +$23.16 |
| Oct 16, 2012 | $92.07 | $115.00 | +$22.93 |
| Oct 17, 2012 | $92.04 | $113.49 | +$21.45 |
| Oct 18, 2012 | $92.00 | $112.58 | +$20.58 |
| Oct 19, 2012 | $90.00 | $111.89 | +$21.89 |
| Oct 22, 2012 | $88.30 | $109.62 | +$21.32 |
| Oct 23, 2012 | $86.65 | $107.53 | +$20.88 |
| Oct 24, 2012 | $85.39 | $107.66 | +$22.27 |
| Oct 25, 2012 | $85.59 | $107.64 | +$22.05 |
| Oct 26, 2012 | $85.84 | $108.90 | +$23.06 |
| Oct 29, 2012 | $85.52 | $109.33 | +$23.81 |
| Oct 30, 2012 | $85.65 | $109.40 | +$23.75 |
| Oct 31, 2012 | $86.23 | $109.89 | +$23.66 |
| Nov 1, 2012 | $87.05 | $108.84 | +$21.79 |
| Nov 2, 2012 | $84.90 | $106.79 | +$21.89 |
| Nov 5, 2012 | $85.64 | $105.59 | +$19.95 |
| Nov 6, 2012 | $88.62 | $109.27 | +$20.65 |
| Nov 7, 2012 | $84.50 | $108.21 | +$23.71 |
| Nov 8, 2012 | $85.07 | $107.23 | +$22.16 |
| Nov 9, 2012 | $86.08 | $108.61 | +$22.53 |
| Nov 12, 2012 | $85.56 | $110.23 | +$24.67 |
| Nov 13, 2012 | $85.38 | $108.82 | +$23.44 |
| Nov 14, 2012 | $86.32 | $109.66 | +$23.34 |
| Nov 15, 2012 | $85.45 | $110.07 | +$24.62 |
| Nov 16, 2012 | $86.62 | $106.81 | +$20.19 |
| Nov 19, 2012 | $89.05 | $110.06 | +$21.01 |
| Nov 20, 2012 | $86.46 | $110.01 | +$23.55 |
| Nov 21, 2012 | $87.08 | $110.81 | +$23.73 |
| Nov 23, 2012 | $87.01 | $110.14 | +$23.13 |
| Nov 26, 2012 | $87.28 | $110.18 | +$22.90 |
| Nov 27, 2012 | $86.81 | $109.33 | +$22.52 |
| Nov 28, 2012 | $86.10 | $108.26 | +$22.16 |
| Nov 29, 2012 | $87.64 | $110.47 | +$22.83 |
| Nov 30, 2012 | $88.54 | $110.84 | +$22.30 |
| Dec 3, 2012 | $88.69 | $111.27 | +$22.58 |
| Dec 4, 2012 | $88.04 | $109.99 | +$21.95 |
| Dec 5, 2012 | $87.36 | $108.96 | +$21.60 |
| Dec 6, 2012 | $85.47 | $108.01 | +$22.54 |
| Dec 7, 2012 | $85.45 | $107.16 | +$21.71 |
| Dec 10, 2012 | $85.14 | $108.25 | +$23.11 |
| Dec 11, 2012 | $85.36 | $107.60 | +$22.24 |
| Dec 12, 2012 | $86.35 | $110.17 | +$23.82 |
| Dec 13, 2012 | $85.39 | $110.18 | +$24.79 |
| Dec 14, 2012 | $86.32 | $109.28 | +$22.96 |
| Dec 17, 2012 | $86.71 | $109.35 | +$22.64 |
| Dec 18, 2012 | $87.46 | $109.96 | +$22.50 |
| Dec 19, 2012 | $89.09 | $109.95 | +$20.86 |
| Dec 20, 2012 | $89.76 | $110.57 | +$20.81 |
| Dec 21, 2012 | $88.20 | $109.13 | +$20.93 |
| Dec 24, 2012 | $88.29 | $108.44 | +$20.15 |
| Dec 26, 2012 | $90.71 | $110.72 | +$20.01 |
| Dec 27, 2012 | $90.91 | $110.04 | +$19.13 |
| Dec 28, 2012 | $90.66 | $110.05 | +$19.39 |
| Dec 31, 2012 | $91.83 | $110.80 | +$18.97 |
“—” 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 3, 2012 – Dec 31, 2012 | Dec 31, 2012 |
| U.S. Energy Information Administration | RBRTE — Brent spot price FOB | $/bbl | Jan 3, 2012 – Dec 31, 2012 | Dec 31, 2012 |
| 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:2012 daily prices (CSV)