The 2025 annual OPEC oil price stood at 78.1 U.S. dollars per barrel, as of February. This would be lower than the 2024 average, which amounted to 79.86 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 2024 fall in prices was the result of weakened demand outlooks, primarily from China.

On March 24, 2025, the Brent crude oil price stood at 73.05 U.S. dollars per barrel, compared to 69.11 U.S. dollars for WTI oil and 75.11 U.S. dollars for the OPEC basket. These were slight increases compared to the previous weeks, which had seen some of the lowest prices in four years.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.

Crude Oil decreased 2.12 USD/BBL or 2.95% since the beginning of 2025, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Crude Oil - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on March of 2025.

Oil prices have risen due to reduced supply from OPEC and Russia, coupled with stronger U.S. economic growth. Explore insights on future oil price trends and market dynamics.

In February 2025, the average price of the OPEC basket was 76.81 U.S. dollars per barrel. This was a decrease compared to the previous month. The OPEC basket is a weighted average of prices for petroleum blends produced by OPEC countries. OPEC stands for “Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries,” and was founded in 1960 in Baghdad, Iraq. The main aim of OPEC is to coordinate the oil policies of its members, and thus to have more influence on the international oil market. It is used as an important benchmark for crude oil prices. The OPEC basket oil price The OPEC crude oil price is defined by the price of the so-called OPEC (reference) basket. This basket is an average of the prices of petroleum blends that are produced by the OPEC members. The following countries are members of this organization: Algeria, Angola, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, and the United Arab Emirates. Some of these oil blends are, for example: Saharan Blend from Algeria, Basra Light from Iraq, and Arab Light from Saudi Arabia. The OPEC reference basket includes both heavy and light crude oils, and is heavier than most other crudes. OPEC's oil production amounted to 34 million barrels per day in 2023. Oil price benchmarks The OPEC basket is one of the most crucial benchmarks for crude oil pricing 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. Looking at the OPEC price within the last two years, the highest price was some 94.6 U.S. dollars per barrel in September 2023.

Discover how OPEC+ plans to increase oil production starting April, aiming to counter previous cuts and shift market dynamics in the face of competitive pressures.

Between 2002 and 2023, prices of OPEC Reference Basket oils fluctuated dramatically. For example, Saharan Blend from Algeria stood at some 25 U.S. dollars per barrel in 2002. Ten years later, this figure had increased to more than 111 U.S. dollars. In 2023, it stood at 83.64 U.S. dollars. Oil prices: a rollercoaster ride Oil prices are inherently volatile due to the speculative nature of their price determination. Thus, sudden economic and geopolitical events may have big influences on pricing. For example, some of the major factors behind price fluctuation since the 2000s have been the global financial crisis in 2008, the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, and the energy supply crisis and subsequent Russia-Ukraine war in 2022. As a result, the OPEC crude oil price have oscillated between lows of 40 U.S. dollars and highs of 110 U.S. dollars. Shale oil overproduction leads to 2010 oil glut The 2010s price crash was caused in part by ever-growing production of domestic shale and tight oil in the United States. Though nearly 80 percent of global oil reserves can be found in OPEC countries, the United States has become the largest producer of oil worldwide in the last ten years.

Learn about the factors that led to the highest crude oil price in the past decade, including geopolitical tensions, production cuts by OPEC, and increased oil demand. Discover how oil prices have since fluctuated and the uncertain future of the oil market.

The 2025 preliminary average annual price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil reached 73.64 U.S. dollars per barrel, as of February. This would be lower than the 2024 average, which stood at 73.64 U.S. dollars per barrel. 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.

OPEC's net oil export revenue reached 679.75 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, a decrease from 2022. In 2022, figures reached 828.61 billion U.S. dollars. OPEC stands for the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and includes countries located in Africa, South America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Currently, the organization has 12 member countries. OPEC oil production The formation of OPEC marked a shift away from large multinational company market control to a primarily state-based control of natural resources. The supply restrictions that began in 1970 enabled a significant increase in oil prices and thus, OPEC’s revenues. OPEC produces around 40 percent of the world’s total crude oil. Saudi Arabia is one of the largest oil exporters among the OPEC. The country sells around six million barrels of oil per day overseas. In total, some 19.7 million barrels of oil was exported per day by OPEC regions in 2021. OPEC crude oil production can strongly impact global oil prices, especially during periods of war or upheaval. Prices of oil are largely affected by basic supply and demand. As of preliminary 2024 figures, the average price of OPEC crude oil was around 80.48 U.S. dollars per barrel. Low oil prices in 2015 and 2016 were due to a wide range of factors including, but not limited to, lower U.S. production, rising Canadian and Iraqi production, and more energy-efficient vehicles. While the drop in 2020 was due to the coronavirus-pandemic.

Goldman Sachs adjusts oil price forecasts downward as trade tariffs rise and OPEC production increases, impacting global market expectations.

Oil prices decreased as forecasts indicated ample supply, outweighing demand growth expected from Chinese stimulus. Despite increased supply, oil showed gains due to anxiety over potential supply disruptions.

OPEC+ is deciding whether to delay planned oil supply hikes due to global market stability concerns, despite pressures for lower oil prices from international players like the U.S.

Discover how escalating tariff woes are affecting oil prices, despite a larger-than-expected drawdown in U.S. gasoline stocks. Explore the interplay between global trade tensions and crude markets.

Brent decreased 0.64 USD/BBL or 0.85% since the beginning of 2025, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Brent crude oil - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on March of 2025.

Oil prices rose by over 2% as OPEC+ delays an output increase, amid a pivotal week involving U.S. elections and China's economic meetings.

Learn about the significant increase in crude oil prices in the 1970s, driven by factors such as the OPEC oil embargo, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and global supply-demand dynamics.

As of February 2025, the average annual price of Brent crude oil stood at 77.36 U.S. dollars per barrel. This is some three 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.

Today's crude oil prices in the Asian market exhibited a mixed trend, with Brent crude showing a slight increase and WTI crude experiencing a slight decrease. The prices are influenced by various factors, including global demand, geopolitical tensions, crude oil inventories, OPEC decisions, and currency exchange rates. Traders and investors in the Asian market closely follow these factors to make informed decisions in the volatile and ever-changing crude oil market.

Discover the factors that influenced the fluctuations in crude oil prices in 2017, including supply and demand dynamics, geopolitical events, and environmental factors. Learn about the impact of OPEC production cuts, increasing shale oil production, tensions in the Middle East, and natural disasters. Understand the price range and the overall volatility experienced throughout the year.