Interactive chart showing the daily closing price for West Texas Intermediate (NYMEX) Crude Oil over the last 10 years. The prices shown are in U.S. dollars.

As of May 2025, the average annual price of Brent crude oil stood at 72 U.S. dollars per barrel. This is some eight 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.

The 2025 preliminary average annual price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil reached 68.24 U.S. dollars per barrel, as of May. This would be eight 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.

Interactive daily chart of Brent (Europe) crude oil prices over the last ten years. Values shown are daily closing prices.

The 2025 annual OPEC oil price stood at ***** U.S. dollars per barrel, as of May. 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.

Crude Oil Price: Average International FOB: Indian Basket: INR data was reported at 4,249.140 INR/Barrel in 05 Dec 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4,324.140 INR/Barrel for 04 Dec 2018. Crude Oil Price: Average International FOB: Indian Basket: INR data is updated daily, averaging 4,308.560 INR/Barrel from Jan 2012 (Median) to 05 Dec 2018, with 1683 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7,752.020 INR/Barrel in 28 Aug 2013 and a record low of 1,633.490 INR/Barrel in 20 Jan 2016. Crude Oil Price: Average International FOB: Indian Basket: INR data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Energy Sector – Table IN.RBJ001: Crude Oil Price: Average International FOB.

Brent Crude Oil Price: US Dollar data was reported at 72.820 USD in Aug 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 74.240 USD for Jul 2018. Brent Crude Oil Price: US Dollar data is updated monthly, averaging 19.340 USD from Jan 1960 (Median) to Aug 2018, with 704 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 133.860 USD in Jul 2008 and a record low of 2.140 USD in Aug 1966. Brent Crude Oil Price: US Dollar data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by South African Reserve Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.P005: Brent Crude Oil Price.

The article discusses the significant fluctuations in crude oil prices in 2018, highlighting various factors that influenced the market. It mentions the impact of increasing US oil production, the OPEC and non-OPEC production cuts agreement, geopolitical tensions, and economic factors like global trade tensions. The article concludes by stating the considerable volatility in crude oil prices by the end of 2018, with both Brent crude and WTI crude experiencing significant drops from their peak levels.

Explore the significant volatility and fluctuations in crude oil prices between 2008 and 2018, driven by various factors including global economic conditions, geopolitical tensions, and changes in supply and demand dynamics. From the financial crisis to the rise of US shale oil production, discover the events and trends that shaped the rollercoaster ride of the oil market during this period.

Switzerland Brent Crude Oil Price data was reported at 75.710 USD/Barrel in Oct 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 82.790 USD/Barrel for Sep 2018. Switzerland Brent Crude Oil Price data is updated monthly, averaging 25.785 USD/Barrel from Jan 1970 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 586 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 139.390 USD/Barrel in Jun 2008 and a record low of 2.230 USD/Barrel in Dec 1970. Switzerland Brent Crude Oil Price data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Swiss National Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Switzerland – Table CH.P002: Fuel Prices.

On June 23, 2025, the Brent crude oil price stood at 70.98 U.S. dollars per barrel, compared to 68.51 U.S. dollars for WTI oil and 76.19 U.S. dollars for the OPEC basket. OPEC prices rose that week following expected supply constraints related to the Israel-Iran conflict.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.

The article discusses the fluctuations in crude oil prices in 2018, influenced by factors such as supply and demand dynamics, geopolitical tensions, and global economic conditions. It explores the impact of production cuts, geopolitical tensions, global demand, and trade disputes on oil prices throughout the year.

Interactive chart showing the monthly closing price for No. 2 Heating Oil: New York Harbor since 1986. The prices shown are in U.S. dollars.

United States Crude Oil Price: EIA: FOB Cost of Imports: OPEC data was reported at 68.770 USD/Barrel in Aug 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 67.270 USD/Barrel for Jul 2018. United States Crude Oil Price: EIA: FOB Cost of Imports: OPEC data is updated monthly, averaging 25.090 USD/Barrel from Oct 1973 (Median) to Aug 2018, with 539 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 126.300 USD/Barrel in Jun 2008 and a record low of 4.220 USD/Barrel in Oct 1973. United States Crude Oil Price: EIA: FOB Cost of Imports: OPEC data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.P002: Energy Price.

In Ghana, the price of crude oil stood at 75.37 U.S. dollars per barrel as of October 2024, an increase from 72.7 U.S. dollars in the preceding month. Within the period reviewed, the international price of crude oil in the country generally fluctuated. Overall, in December 2024, Ghana had a crude oil production capacity of 188,000 barrels per day.

Crude oil prices have experienced significant volatility in the past three years due to geopolitical tensions, supply and demand dynamics, and changes in global economic conditions. This article discusses the factors that have influenced oil prices, including production cuts, global oil supplies, U.S. sanctions on Iran, and the COVID-19 pandemic. It also provides an overview of the average price of Brent crude oil in 2018, 2019, and 2020, highlighting the impact of the pandemic on oil demand and prices.

Ecuador Napo Crude Oil Price: Petroecuador data was reported at 65.100 USD/Barrel in Oct 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 61.400 USD/Barrel for Sep 2018. Ecuador Napo Crude Oil Price: Petroecuador data is updated monthly, averaging 63.350 USD/Barrel from May 2006 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 150 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 114.670 USD/Barrel in Jun 2008 and a record low of 16.400 USD/Barrel in Feb 2016. Ecuador Napo Crude Oil Price: Petroecuador data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Bank of Ecuador. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ecuador – Table EC.RB001: Crude Oil Prices.

United States Crude Oil Price: EIA: FOB Cost of Imports: Persian Gulf Nations data was reported at 69.280 USD/Barrel in Aug 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 70.190 USD/Barrel for Jul 2018. United States Crude Oil Price: EIA: FOB Cost of Imports: Persian Gulf Nations data is updated monthly, averaging 25.390 USD/Barrel from Oct 1973 (Median) to Aug 2018, with 497 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 124.370 USD/Barrel in Jun 2008 and a record low of 3.160 USD/Barrel in Oct 1973. United States Crude Oil Price: EIA: FOB Cost of Imports: Persian Gulf Nations data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.P002: Energy Price.

Heating Oil fell to 2.24 USD/Gal on June 30, 2025, down 3.10% from the previous day. Over the past month, Heating Oil's price has risen 8.54%, but it is still 14.42% lower than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Heating oil - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on June of 2025.

United States Crude Oil Price: EIA: Domestic First Purchase data was reported at 62.870 USD/Barrel in Aug 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 67.000 USD/Barrel for Jul 2018. United States Crude Oil Price: EIA: Domestic First Purchase data is updated monthly, averaging 23.925 USD/Barrel from Jan 1974 (Median) to Aug 2018, with 536 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 128.080 USD/Barrel in Jul 2008 and a record low of 6.700 USD/Barrel in Sep 1974. United States Crude Oil Price: EIA: Domestic First Purchase data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.P002: Energy Price.