As of April 2025, the average annual price of Brent crude oil stood at 73.89 U.S. dollars per barrel. This is some seven U.S. dollars lower than the 2024 average. Brent is the world's leading price benchmark for Atlantic basin crude oils. Crude oil is one of the most closely observed commodity prices as it influences costs across all stages of the production process and consequently alters the price of consumer goods as well. What determines crude oil benchmarks? In the past decade, crude oil prices have been especially volatile. Their inherent inelasticity regarding short-term changes in demand and supply means that oil prices are erratic by nature. However, since the 2009 financial crisis, many commercial developments have greatly contributed to price volatility; such as economic growth by BRIC countries like China and India, and the advent of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling in the U.S. The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war are examples of geopolitical events dictating prices. Light crude oils - Brent and WTI Brent Crude is considered a classification of sweet light crude oil and acts as a benchmark price for oil around the world. It is considered a sweet light crude oil due to its low sulfur content and a low density and may be easily refined into gasoline. This oil originates in the North Sea and comprises several different oil blends, including Brent Blend and Ekofisk crude. Often, this crude oil is refined in Northwest Europe. Another sweet light oil often referenced alongside UK Brent is West Texas Intermediate (WTI). WTI oil prices amounted to 76.55 U.S. dollars per barrel in 2024.
On June 2, 2025, the Brent crude oil price stood at 64.5 U.S. dollars per barrel, compared to 62.52 U.S. dollars for WTI oil and 65.13 U.S. dollars for the OPEC basket. Crude oil prices were some of the lowest they had been since February 2021.Europe's Brent crude oil, the U.S. WTI crude oil, and OPEC's basket are three of the most important benchmarks used by traders as reference for oil and gasoline prices. Lowest ever oil prices during coronavirus pandemic In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic resulted in crude oil prices hitting a major slump as oil demand drastically declined following lockdowns and travel restrictions. Initial outlooks and uncertainty surrounding the course of the pandemic brought about a disagreement between two of the largest oil producers, Russia and Saudi Arabia, in early March. Bilateral talks between global oil producers ended in agreement on April 13th, with promises to cut petroleum output and hopes rising that these might help stabilize the oil price in the coming weeks. However, with storage facilities and oil tankers quickly filling up, fears grew over where to store excess oil, leading to benchmark prices seeing record negative prices between April 20 and April 22, 2020. How crude oil prices are determined As with most commodities, crude oil prices are impacted by supply and demand, as well as inventories and market sentiment. However, as oil is most often traded in future contracts (whereby a contract is agreed upon, while the product delivery will follow in the next two to three months), market speculation is one of the principal determinants for oil prices. Traders make conclusions on how production output and consumer demand will likely develop over the coming months, leaving room for uncertainty. Spot prices differ from futures in so far as they reflect the current market price of a commodity.
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Graph and download economic data for Crude Oil Prices: Brent - Europe (WCOILBRENTEU) from 1987-05-15 to 2025-05-30 about crude, oil, Europe, commodities, and price.
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The crude oil price per barrel refers to the value of a barrel of crude oil in the global market, influenced by supply and demand dynamics, geopolitical events, economic conditions, and market speculation. Fluctuations in oil prices impact sectors of the economy, transportation costs, manufacturing costs, consumer prices, and oil-producing countries' economies. Oil price benchmarks like Brent Crude and West Texas Intermediate provide indicators of global crude oil price trends, making it an important e
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United Kingdom BOE Forecast: Brent Crude Oil Price data was reported at 71.000 USD/Barrel in 2021. This records a decrease from the previous number of 74.000 USD/Barrel for 2020. United Kingdom BOE Forecast: Brent Crude Oil Price data is updated yearly, averaging 72.500 USD/Barrel from Dec 2014 (Median) to 2021, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 81.000 USD/Barrel in 2018 and a record low of 43.000 USD/Barrel in 2015. United Kingdom BOE Forecast: Brent Crude Oil Price data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bank of England. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Kingdom – Table UK.P009: Crude Oil and Gas Prices: Forecast.
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Graph and download economic data for Global price of Brent Crude (POILBREUSDM) from Jan 1990 to Apr 2025 about crude, oil, World, and price.
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Find out the factors that determine the current price of crude oil, including demand, supply, geopolitical events, and market speculation. Learn about the recent fluctuations in oil prices and how global economic conditions and political tensions impact the oil market. Understand the role of Brent crude and WTI crude as benchmarks for international and US oil prices. Stay informed about the current approximate price of crude oil, which is around $80 per barrel.
The average spot price for West Texas Intermediate crude oil came to 76.63 U.S. dollars per barrel in 2024, a decrease of nearly one U.S. dollars compared to the previous year. The 2024 average spot price for Brent crude oil was 80.52 U.S. dollars. Both Brent and WTI are light crude oils, with the first used as a benchmark for gasoline prices around the world. Spot prices vs. future prices Spot prices refer to current market prices under which a commodity such as one barrel of crude oil may be bought for immediate delivery. In contrast, future prices refer to settlement and delivery at a later date. As a major refinery and storage hub, Cushing in Oklahoma is the delivery location for WTI traded via the New York Mercantile Exchange. When storage capacities threatened to reach their maximum capacity in April 2020, the WTI oil price crashed as a result, trading at record low prices. The WTI oil price fell into negative numbers for the first time in its history, closing out at negative 37.63 U.S. dollars per barrel on April 20th. The lowest value for Brent prices was 19.33 U.S. dollars per barrel. Influences on oil prices Oil prices are volatile commodities as their trading and delivery is heavily influenced by overall market development and geopolitical events. For example, the Russia-Ukraine war and resulting Russian sanctions brought about fears of supply bottlenecks, which pushed oil prices to decade-highs also reflected in the 2022 annual average.
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Brent Crude Oil Price: EA: Forward: 1 Month data was reported at 72.079 EUR/Barrel in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 69.734 EUR/Barrel for Dec 2024. Brent Crude Oil Price: EA: Forward: 1 Month data is updated quarterly, averaging 34.532 EUR/Barrel from Sep 1985 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 159 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 103.376 EUR/Barrel in Jun 2022 and a record low of 9.999 EUR/Barrel in Dec 1998. Brent Crude Oil Price: EA: Forward: 1 Month data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by European Central Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s European Union – Table EU.P005: European Central Bank: Crude Oil Price. [COVID-19-IMPACT]
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The article discusses the current live price of Brent Crude Oil, which is $64.23 per barrel, and how it is influenced by geopolitical events, supply and demand dynamics, and market speculation. It highlights the importance of monitoring the price of Brent Crude Oil as it impacts the energy sector, global economy, oil companies, transportation costs, and consumer prices. The article also explains how disruptions in oil-producing regions, changes in consumption patterns, and investor sentiment can lead to pri
Brent crude oil is projected to have an average annual spot price of 65.85 U.S. dollars per barrel in 2025, according to a forecast from May 2025. This would mean a decrease of nearly 15 U.S. dollars compared to the previous year, and also reflects a reduced forecast WTI crude oil price. Lower economic activity, an increase in OPEC+ production output, and uncertainty over trade tariffs all impacted price forecasting. All about Brent Also known as Brent Blend, London Brent, and Brent petroleum, Brent Crude is a crude oil benchmark named after the exploration site in the North Sea's Brent oilfield. It is a sweet light crude oil but slightly heavier than West Texas Intermediate. In this context, sweet refers to a low sulfur content and light refers to a relatively low density when compared to other crude oil benchmarks. Price development in the 2020s Oil prices are volatile, impacted by consumer demand and discoveries of new oilfields, new extraction methods such as fracking, and production caps routinely placed by OPEC on its member states. The price for Brent crude oil stood at an average of just 42 U.S. dollars in 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic resulted in a sudden demand drop. Two years later, sanctions on Russian energy imports, had pushed up prices to a new decade-high, above 100 U.S. dollars per barrel.
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United States - Crude Oil Prices: Brent - Europe was 80.52000 $ per Barrel in January of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Crude Oil Prices: Brent - Europe reached a record high of 111.63000 in January of 2012 and a record low of 12.76000 in January of 1998. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Crude Oil Prices: Brent - Europe - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.
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United States - Crude Oil Prices: Brent - Europe was 62.29000 $ per Barrel in May of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Crude Oil Prices: Brent - Europe reached a record high of 141.07000 in July of 2008 and a record low of 9.44000 in December of 1998. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Crude Oil Prices: Brent - Europe - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.
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Interactive monthly historical chart of Brent (Europe) crude oil prices since 1987. Prices shown are in US dollars per barrel.
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The current price of Brent crude oil is $75.32 per barrel, serving as a benchmark for pricing other types of oil worldwide. Learn more about this key indicator for global oil markets sourced from the North Sea.
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The price of crude oil per barrel is influenced by factors such as supply and demand, geopolitical events, and economic indicators. This article explores the fluctuations in crude oil prices, the impact on the global economy, and the role of benchmarks like Brent crude and WTI crude. It also discusses the historical volatility of oil prices, the influence of geopolitical tensions, economic indicators, market speculation, and the shale oil revolution. Understanding crude oil prices is crucial as they have si
The 2025 preliminary average annual price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil reached 69.76 U.S. dollars per barrel, as of April. This would be seven U.S. dollars below the 2024 average and the lowest annual average since 2021. WTI and other benchmarks WTI is a grade of crude oil also known as “Texas light sweet.” It is measured to have an API gravity of around 39.6 and specific gravity of about 0.83, which is considered “light” relative to other crude oils. This oil also contains roughly 0.24 percent sulfur, and is therefore named “sweet.” Crude oils are some of the most closely observed commodity prices in the world. WTI is the underlying commodity of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange’s oil futures contracts. The price of other crude oils, such as UK Brent crude oil, the OPEC crude oil basket, and Dubai Fateh oil, can be compared to that of WTI crude oil. Since 1976, the price of WTI crude oil has increased notably, rising from just 12.23 U.S. dollars per barrel in 1976 to a peak of 99.06 dollars per barrel in 2008. Geopolitical conflicts and their impact on oil prices The price of oil is controlled in part by limiting oil production. Prior to 1971, the Texas Railroad Commission controlled the price of oil by setting limits on production of U.S. oil. In 1971, the Texas Railroad Commission ceased limiting production, but OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries with member states Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela among others, continued to do so. In 1972, due to geopolitical conflict, OPEC set an oil embargo and cut oil production, causing prices to quadruple by 1974. Oil prices rose again in 1979 and 1980 due to the Iranian revolution, and doubled between 1978 and 1981 as the Iran-Iraq War prevented oil production. A number of geopolitical conflicts and periods of increased production and consumption have influenced the price of oil since then.
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The spot price of Brent crude oil is an important benchmark for international oil prices. It represents the price at which a barrel of oil can be bought or sold for immediate delivery. This article explores the factors influencing the Brent oil spot price, including supply and demand dynamics, geopolitical events, and market speculation. It also highlights the role of the Middle East, global demand, OPEC decisions, and investor sentiment in shaping oil prices. The current Brent oil spot price is $70 per bar
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The Brent Crude Oil spot price is a benchmark for global oil prices, quoted in US dollars per barrel. This article explores the factors influencing the spot price, the importance of real-time updates, and the availability of platforms providing comprehensive information. It serves as a vital indicator for market trends, guiding decision-making and risk management in the oil and gas industry.
The 2025 annual OPEC oil price stood at ***** U.S. dollars per barrel, as of April. This would be lower than the 2024 average, which amounted to ***** U.S. dollars. The abbreviation OPEC stands for Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and includes Algeria, Angola, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, and the United Arab Emirates. The aim of the OPEC is to coordinate the oil policies of its member states. It was founded in 1960 in Baghdad, Iraq. The OPEC Reference Basket The OPEC crude oil price is defined by the price of the so-called OPEC (Reference) basket. This basket is an average of prices of the various petroleum blends that are produced by the OPEC members. Some of these oil blends are, for example: Saharan Blend from Algeria, Basra Light from Iraq, Arab Light from Saudi Arabia, BCF 17 from Venezuela, et cetera. By increasing and decreasing its oil production, OPEC tries to keep the price between a given maxima and minima. Benchmark crude oil The OPEC basket is one of the most important benchmarks for crude oil prices worldwide. Other significant benchmarks are UK Brent, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), and Dubai Crude (Fateh). Because there are many types and grades of oil, such benchmarks are indispensable for referencing them on the global oil market. The 2025 fall in prices was the result of weakened demand outlooks exacerbated by extensive U.S. trade tariffs.
As of April 2025, the average annual price of Brent crude oil stood at 73.89 U.S. dollars per barrel. This is some seven U.S. dollars lower than the 2024 average. Brent is the world's leading price benchmark for Atlantic basin crude oils. Crude oil is one of the most closely observed commodity prices as it influences costs across all stages of the production process and consequently alters the price of consumer goods as well. What determines crude oil benchmarks? In the past decade, crude oil prices have been especially volatile. Their inherent inelasticity regarding short-term changes in demand and supply means that oil prices are erratic by nature. However, since the 2009 financial crisis, many commercial developments have greatly contributed to price volatility; such as economic growth by BRIC countries like China and India, and the advent of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling in the U.S. The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war are examples of geopolitical events dictating prices. Light crude oils - Brent and WTI Brent Crude is considered a classification of sweet light crude oil and acts as a benchmark price for oil around the world. It is considered a sweet light crude oil due to its low sulfur content and a low density and may be easily refined into gasoline. This oil originates in the North Sea and comprises several different oil blends, including Brent Blend and Ekofisk crude. Often, this crude oil is refined in Northwest Europe. Another sweet light oil often referenced alongside UK Brent is West Texas Intermediate (WTI). WTI oil prices amounted to 76.55 U.S. dollars per barrel in 2024.