Price of a barrel of oil today
Follow live oil prices and check the current price per barrel of Brent and WTI crude oil. This real-time data helps you track oil market trends, view detailed oil price graphs, and understand how the price of oil per barrel fluctuates. Stay informed with the latest crude oil price updates and learn how to potentially invest in oil price movements using CFDs.
The price of a barrel of oil is constantly changing, depending on international market conditions. It depends on many factors such as production, global demand, US stocks, and the geopolitical situation in producing countries. Two benchmarks are mainly used: Brent (North Sea oil) and WTI (West Texas Intermediate, the US benchmark). Their prices are quoted in US dollars ($) and are available in real time on financial platforms or specialised websites. It is important to note that prices may vary slightly depending on futures contracts and trading platforms. To view the most up-to-date data, we recommend using a live chart.
Brent and WTI are two benchmark indices for crude oil prices, each corresponding to a different geographical origin. Brent is extracted in the North Sea and serves as a benchmark in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. WTI (West Texas Intermediate) is mainly produced in the United States and used as a benchmark on the North American market. Their prices may differ due to the quality of the oil (density, sulphur content), transport costs or logistical conditions. On the financial markets, the two indices are listed separately. Tracking their performance provides a better understanding of regional trends in the oil market and the differences between supply areas.
There are solutions that allow you to gain exposure to crude oil prices without committing a large amount of capital, such as CFDs (contracts for difference) offered by certain authorised platforms. These products allow you to take a position on Brent or WTI, either long or short, with leverage. However, CFDs carry a high risk of rapid loss and are not suitable for all profiles. The minimum amount to invest may vary depending on the broker, but accessibility should not overshadow risk management requirements. It is essential to fully understand how the product works before making any decisions and to ensure that you can withstand potential losses.
The price of crude oil changes every day under the influence of numerous economic, geopolitical and industrial factors. Whether it is Brent (the European benchmark) or WTI (the American benchmark), the price per barrel is closely monitored by analysts, companies and market observers. This page allows you to view real-time oil prices, as well as explanations of the factors that can influence their variation. This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
🔎 Cost of a barrel of crude oil: Key points to remember
- 📌 Crude oil prices fluctuate constantly depending on supply, demand, inventories and the global geopolitical context.
- 🛢️ Two major benchmarks are listed on the stock exchange: Brent (London) and WTI (New York).
- 📈 The price per barrel is expressed in US dollars ($) and updated in real time on the major financial markets.
- 🌍 Oil is a strategic commodity that impacts the global economy, energy prices and industrial decisions.
- ⚠️ Some financial products allow you to gain exposure to oil price fluctuations, but they carry high risks, particularly due to leverage. It is essential to understand how they work before making any decisions.
The price of crude oil is one of the most closely watched economic and geopolitical indicators in the world. It reflects the balance between global energy supply and demand, industrial dynamics, the production policies of major exporting countries, and geopolitical tensions affecting production areas. Whether it is Brent or WTI, the two major market benchmarks, knowing the evolution of the price per barrel in real time provides a better understanding of the major trends shaping the global economy.
Fluctuations in the price of oil have a direct impact on production costs, transport, energy prices and inflation. A rise in prices may indicate supply tensions or increased demand, while a fall may result from a slowdown in activity or overproduction. These developments are also linked to strategic decisions taken by players such as OPEC, political events or regional imbalances.
As oil is a strategic commodity, its price is often included in broader market analyses, alongside other economic data such as inventories, growth and energy demand. It is a benchmark indicator for those who observe the commodity or energy markets, but it is not sufficient on its own to make financial decisions.
Certain financial products, such as CFDs, allow you to gain exposure to oil price movements, but they carry high risks, particularly due to leverage. It is essential to fully understand how they work before making any investment decisions.
👉 Learn more about how CFDs on crude oil work and the risks involved →
The price of crude oil is the result of a complex interaction between many economic, geopolitical and monetary factors. Understanding these mechanisms provides a better understanding of how the price per barrel evolves, without claiming to be able to accurately predict its fluctuations. Here are the major factors that can influence the oil market.
The price of oil is strongly influenced by decisions made about global production. Among the most closely watched factors are:
📢 Announcements by OPEC and its partners
The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) plays a central role in regulating supply. When it decides to reduce or increase its members' production quotas, this can directly influence the price of crude oil.
Markets often react quickly to these announcements, especially when they are unexpected or there is no consensus among member countries.
🛢️ Non-OPEC production levels
Other producing countries, such as the United States, Canada, Russia and Brazil, also have a significant impact on global supply. In particular, shale oil production in the United States has altered the traditional market balance in recent years.
📦 Weekly crude oil inventories
Every week, the United States publishes official data on its commercial oil inventories through the Energy Information Administration (EIA). These data are closely monitored because:
These figures can cause short-term fluctuations in the price of oil, particularly when they deviate from market expectations.
In addition to production and stocks, other exogenous variables play an important role in the evolution of the price of oil.
🔥 Geopolitical tensions
The oil market is sensitive to geopolitical events affecting producing regions. Situations such as:
can disrupt global supply or create uncertainty about future supply, which can cause volatility in the price per barrel.
🌐 The level of global demand
Demand for oil depends on economic growth, seasons and the level of industrial activity:
💲 The value of the US dollar
The price of crude oil is expressed in US dollars ($) on international markets. The value of this currency therefore automatically influences the purchasing power of importing countries:
The dollar-oil relationship is therefore closely monitored, particularly when monetary policy decisions are made by the US Federal Reserve (Fed).
✅ Summary
| Factor | Potential Impact on Oil Prices |
|---|---|
| 📢 OPEC announcements | Adjustment of global oil supply |
| 📦 US oil inventories | Indication of surplus or supply tension |
| 🔥 Geopolitical tensions | Increased volatility during crises |
| 🌐 Global demand | Influence based on economic growth and activity |
| 💱 US Dollar value | Currency effect on oil prices (priced in USD) |
The price of crude oil has fluctuated significantly since the 1970s, influenced by geopolitical crises, economic shocks and changes in supply and demand. Here are the major milestones to remember:
➡️ The price per barrel quadrupled following the embargo imposed by OPEC countries in response to Western support for Israel during the Yom Kippur War.
➡️ Sharp rise linked to global demand, particularly from China and India, combined with supply tensions. The price per barrel reaches an all-time high.
➡️ Collapse in the price per barrel due to overproduction, particularly in the United States with the rise of shale oil. Global demand slows.
➡️ During the Covid-19 pandemic, demand collapsed. Due to insufficient storage capacity, WTI oil futures briefly fell into negative territory.
➡️ Geopolitical tensions linked to the war in Ukraine and post-Covid economic recovery. The price of oil rises sharply again, exceeding £100 per barrel once more.
This summary illustrates how sensitive the price of oil is to global events. These variations can be explained by a complex balance between production, consumption, storage, geopolitics and macroeconomic factors. Historical oil price tracking therefore provides a better understanding of market reactions to external shocks.
Investing in crude oil, whether Brent (European benchmark) or WTI (US benchmark), can be done without physically owning barrels. Regulated platforms offer instruments such as CFDs that allow you to gain exposure to fluctuations in oil prices. Here are the major steps to get started, with caution.
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