WTI Crude Oil Price Chart – Live Quote

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude — also known as Texas Light Sweet — is one of the world’s most important benchmark grades of oil. It plays a central role in global energy markets and is primarily used in the production of gasoline. Alongside Brent, WTI serves as a reference standard for pricing and quality assessment in the oil industry. On this page, you’ll find a live chart tracking the current WTI oil price, as well as detailed insights into its characteristics, trading dynamics, and future outlook.

WTI (West Texas Intermediate) Live Oil Price Chart. Track the real-time WTI crude oil price using our lightweight and intuitive charting tool. Designed for traders and investors, this online chart provides full access to a wide range of advanced features — no downloads or installations required.

With over 100 interactive tools for technical analysis, users can draw trends, identify key support and resistance levels, and analyze price movements with precision. More than 80 built-in indicators — including RSI, MACD, Bollinger Bands, and moving averages — can be added to the chart in just a couple of clicks.

Whether you’re performing short-term technical analysis or long-term trend forecasting, this live chart offers the flexibility and functionality you need to make informed trading decisions.

Technical Analysis WTI (West Texas Intermediate)

WTI Crude Oil Technical Analysis Widget. This modern and intuitive tool provides real-time summary ratings based on key technical indicators. Displayed as a dynamic gauge, the widget gives traders a quick visual cue of current market sentiment — from strong sell to strong buy — without the need to manually interpret each individual indicator.

The widget automatically analyzes multiple metrics and presents the result in a clean, simplified format. It’s ideal for traders who want a fast overview of WTI (West Texas Intermediate) crude oil trends without cluttering their screen with dozens of separate charts and indicators.

The system evaluates a broad set of indicators including: Relative Strength Index (RSI), Stochastic, Commodity Channel Index (CCI), Average Directional Index (ADX), Awesome Oscillator, Momentum, MACD, Stochastic RSI, Williams %R, Bull/Bear Power, Ultimate Oscillator, as well as several moving averages such as EMA, SMA, VWMA, HMA, and the Ichimoku Cloud Base Line.

All calculations are updated in real time, giving you a consistent and accurate snapshot of market trends and potential entry or exit points.

WTI Crude Oil Futures

Futures contracts on West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil are among the most actively traded commodities on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), offering deep liquidity and tight spreads. These contracts are listed under the ticker CL and represent 1,000 barrels of crude oil per contract (1 barrel ≈ 159 liters).

The minimum tick size is 0.01 point, which corresponds to $10 in value, making each full point equivalent to $1,000. Trading sessions on NYMEX run from 5:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. the next day (Chicago time, UTC−6), with a brief one-hour break — providing nearly 23 hours of trading daily.

In addition to NYMEX, WTI Light Sweet Crude Oil futures are also available on ICE Futures Europe under the ticker WTCL. These contracts are similar in size and structure, enabling traders worldwide to access WTI markets through multiple platforms.

Global Trading Hours: U.S. traders can access the market from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. New York time (UTC−4). In Europe, the trading day runs from 1:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. London time (UTC+0/UTC+1 in summer). In Asia, traders can participate from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. the next day, Singapore time (UTC+8).

WTI Oil as a Global Benchmark. Although WTI futures are primarily traded on NYMEX and ICE, they are also available in smaller volumes on global exchanges in Tokyo, Shanghai, Dubai, and other financial centers. This international presence reinforces WTI’s role as a key benchmark in the global oil market.

The WTI price — often displayed under the ticker USOIL — serves as a reference point for various other crude oil blends that are not independently quoted. Despite WTI and Brent accounting for less than 3% of global oil production, their prices influence the cost of roughly two-thirds of the world’s crude grades.

Physical Characteristics and Origins. West Texas Intermediate (WTI), also known as Texas Light Sweet, is a high-quality crude oil extracted primarily in Texas. Its inland production makes it more logistically accessible than offshore-sourced Brent, offering competitive advantages in transportation and storage.

WTI is predominantly consumed in North and South America. Chemically, it is very similar to Brent crude, with a light and sweet profile that makes it ideal for gasoline production. Due to these properties, WTI is widely regarded as a benchmark for comparing the quality and pricing of other crude oil grades.

What Determines the Price of WTI

The price of WTI (West Texas Intermediate) crude oil is shaped by the classic balance of supply and demand. These factors are heavily influenced by economic cycles, geopolitical events, and government policies. As one of the most actively traded oil benchmarks in the world, WTI reacts rapidly to shifts in global energy markets, production levels, and consumption trends.

🇺🇸 United States Oil Production. The United States is the largest producer of WTI, with daily production reaching 11.87 million barrels. This marks a significant increase compared to 2008, when production stood at just 6.8 million barrels per day. The rapid growth is primarily attributed to the expansion of shale oil extraction, which now accounts for approximately 75% of U.S. crude output.

Most of the WTI oil is consumed domestically, supporting the country’s vast industrial and transportation sectors. However, the U.S. remains one of the world’s top exporters of crude oil. By the end of 2021, it ranked 4th globally, exporting 3.1 million barrels per day to international markets.

🇷🇺 Russia – 10.87 million barrels/day. Russia remains one of the top oil producers globally. In recent years, it has reoriented its export flows from Europe to Asia, especially China, due to geopolitical shifts. Although production increased slightly in 2022, long-term growth is constrained by high extraction complexity and costs. Many of Russia’s fields are located in remote or technologically inaccessible regions. The benchmark Russian crude grade is known as Urals.

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia – 10.43 million barrels/day. As a leading member of OPEC, Saudi Arabia has significant influence over global oil prices. It can adjust its production rapidly and holds spare capacity, with a potential output of up to 13 million barrels/day. The kingdom also boasts the largest proven oil reserves in the world.

🇨🇦 Canada – 4.6 million barrels/day. Canada’s economy is deeply tied to the oil sector. Most of its crude is exported to the United States via pipelines, making it a key supplier of WTI-compatible oil. Recently, Canadian production has increased to meet rising European demand. Despite having the second largest oil reserves globally, much of it is found in oil sands, making extraction expensive and technically challenging.

🇮🇶 Iraq – 4.16 million barrels/day. Oil is the lifeblood of Iraq’s economy, helping rebuild a country long affected by conflict. With oil as its main export, Iraq has seen improving living standards and economic recovery. Production continues to grow steadily, with forecasts expecting a rise to 5–5.5 million barrels/day by 2028.

🇨🇳 China – 4 million barrels/day. Although China is increasing its domestic oil output to reduce foreign energy dependence, its production remains far below demand. In 2022, Chinese refineries processed 13.5 million barrels/day, most of which were imported — making China one of the largest global oil consumers. Its massive demand exerts direct influence on global oil prices, including WTI.

🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates – 3.65 million barrels/day. Despite its size, the UAE is a significant oil producer, with petroleum exports forming the backbone of its economy. By 2030, the country plans to raise production to 5 million barrels/day. The UAE’s main benchmark crude, Dubai Crude, is a key pricing standard in the Persian Gulf and one of the world’s top three oil benchmarks — alongside Brent and WTI.

🇧🇷 Brazil – 3.27 million barrels/day. Brazil’s oil production is expanding rapidly, with forecasts projecting output to reach 5 million barrels/day by 2026. While domestic consumption is also increasing, Brazil remains a key exporter — nearly half of its oil goes to China, with additional shipments to Chile, the United States, and Europe. This growing supply base adds weight to Brazil’s influence on the global oil market.

🇰🇼 Kuwait – 2.68 million barrels/day. A small nation with vast oil wealth, Kuwait boasts substantial reserves and high per-capita production. Long-term plans aim to boost output to 4.75 million barrels/day by 2040. As a member of OPEC, Kuwait plays a strategic role in global supply decisions that affect benchmarks like WTI.

🇮🇷 Iran – 2.5 million barrels/day. Despite ongoing Western sanctions, Iran continues to increase its oil exports — particularly to China. Crude oil remains the primary revenue source for the Iranian economy, supporting gradual development. Iran’s presence on the export market adds complexity to supply dynamics, indirectly influencing WTI futures pricing.

🌎 Venezuela. Once a major oil producer, Venezuela’s output has significantly declined due to political instability and international sanctions. However, the country still possesses some of the largest proven oil reserves in the world. If geopolitical conditions change, Venezuela could re-emerge as a key player in the global oil market, potentially impacting WTI pricing.

🌍 Nigeria. Africa’s largest economy is heavily dependent on oil. Nigeria continues to develop its energy sector and holds ambitions to become a global energy leader. Its increasing production capacity and strategic location give it growing influence, particularly in European and Asian markets.

🇳🇴 Norway. A critical supplier of oil to Europe, especially after shifts in global energy flows, Norway remains a stable and reliable producer. While its output isn’t as large as the major OPEC countries, its geopolitical role makes it a noteworthy factor in global pricing dynamics.

🛢️ The Role of OPEC. Saudi Arabia and other major exporters from the Middle East are key members of OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries). By coordinating production levels among member states, OPEC has a strong influence on global oil prices. While it doesn’t control WTI production directly, OPEC’s decisions significantly affect WTI futures through global supply-demand shifts.

🌏 Global Demand and Key Importers. The world’s largest oil importer is China, which imported 508 million tons in 2022. It is followed by India (210 million tons), the United States (175), South Korea (130), and Japan (128). These numbers clearly show that Asia plays a central role in setting global oil prices, including for the WTI benchmark.

🇪🇺 Europe’s Role. While Asia leads in consumption growth, Europe remains a vital market. In 2022, the European Union imported a total of 452 million tons of crude oil. Although WTI is not widely consumed in Europe, its price can still be influenced by demand shifts in the region.

🇺🇸 Domestic Balance. For WTI specifically, the balance of production and consumption within the United States is a dominant factor. Even if not all U.S. oil production is classified as WTI, domestic market dynamics—such as inventory levels, export flows, and refining capacity—have a strong impact on the WTI price.

🛢 Storage Reserves and Market Sentiment. One of the key factors influencing WTI prices is the level of crude oil inventories in the United States. When reserves increase, it often signals oversupply, pushing WTI futures prices downward. Conversely, a decline in reserves typically supports price growth.

📊 Weekly EIA Reports. Traders closely watch the weekly storage reports from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), as they provide vital insights into supply and demand dynamics. You can access these reports at www.eia.gov/petroleum.

📈 API Data. Another influential source is the American Petroleum Institute (API), which also releases inventory statistics that can impact short-term market trends. These updates are available at www.api.org and often come out a day before the official EIA data, offering an early look at market sentiment.

🛠 Baker Hughes Rig Count. One of the most watched statistics in the American oil sector is the weekly drilling rig count published by Baker Hughes. Although the report usually does not cause sharp short-term price movements, changes in the number of active rigs often affect medium-term WTI price trends. The data is available at bakerhughesrigcount.gcs-web.com.

📰 News and Geopolitics. News headlines play a critical role in WTI pricing. While U.S. and Canadian developments are most relevant, global events — especially in the Middle East — can cause sharp market reactions. Political tensions, protests, or conflicts in oil-rich regions like Bahrain, Iran, or Iraq often lead to price spikes due to concerns over supply disruptions.

🌍 Global Events and Logistics. News from Russia, Venezuela, Brazil, China, India, and European countries also impacts prices. Strategic logistics hubs like the Strait of Hormuz are especially crucial — around 20% of the world’s oil supply passes through this narrow route. Any instability here leads to immediate market reactions.

🌪 Weather and Natural Disasters. Seasonal weather events, particularly during the U.S. hurricane season (September–October), can severely disrupt oil production in the Gulf of Mexico. Forecasts of incoming hurricanes typically cause a rise in WTI prices, as companies are forced to halt operations and evacuate personnel from offshore platforms.

Oil Company Stocks

Instead of trading futures — or in combination with them — investors can buy shares of major U.S. oil companies. These stocks are closely tied to WTI price movements and often provide high dividend yields, making them attractive for long-term portfolios.

🔷 Exxon Mobil (XOM). One of the largest oil and gas corporations in the world, Exxon Mobil operates across all segments: exploration, production, refining, transportation, and retail. With a market capitalization of $429.6 billion, it is considered a reliable investment, particularly for dividend income. While significant growth may be limited, its stability makes it a popular option during oil price corrections.

🔶 Chevron (CVX). Another energy giant with a capitalization of $294 billion, Chevron’s shares recently hit peak values. Its business is expanding, and dividends remain solid. It is also the only U.S. company with a license to operate in Venezuela, giving it long-term potential if geopolitical conditions improve.

🟥 Occidental Petroleum (OXY). A major player in shale oil production, Occidental is also involved in natural gas and chemicals. It has a capitalization of $52.7 billion. During the COVID-19 pandemic, its stock plummeted from $80 to $9 due to high debt levels, but it later recovered to around $60. The company reduced capital expenditures, and while it’s no longer seen as a high-risk bet, it is also not the top choice among oil investors today.

🟩 APA Corporation (APA). APA’s stock had been in a long-term downtrend — from $138 in 2005 to just $4 by 2020. The decline was driven by worsening financial indicators and market sentiment. However, a major oil discovery in Suriname and internal restructuring have turned the situation around. Over the past three years, APA stock has shown a steady uptrend, and with a current market capitalization of $10.3 billion, it is once again being considered as a potential investment opportunity.

🟦 PDC Energy (PDCE). A smaller U.S. company with a market cap of $5.7 billion, it operates oil and gas fields in Texas and Colorado. Its output is split roughly equally between oil and gas (40% each), with the remaining 20% in other hydrocarbons. The company also engages in exploration, processing, and resale. PDCE stock is known for high volatility, which makes it appealing for speculative trading strategies rather than long-term conservative portfolios.

🟨 Murphy Oil (MUR). With a market capitalization of $5.5 billion, Murphy Oil suffered heavily during the pandemic, continuing a downtrend that started in 2008. However, its stock has begun recovering, mainly due to successful new exploration projects. The company owns reserves in Mexico, Brazil, Brunei, and Vietnam, making it geographically diversified. With relatively low capitalization and upside potential, it may be of interest to long-term investors seeking growth opportunities in the energy sector.

Market Opportunities. There are still quite a few companies in the U.S. involved in oil production and refining — both large and small — with varying degrees of potential. This means that the choice for investors and traders in this market is very broad. Whether you’re looking for reliable dividend-paying giants or volatile small-cap stocks for speculation, the U.S. oil sector offers a wide range of opportunities to match different investment strategies.

Why WTI Price Matters

The price of WTI oil has a significant impact on most sectors of the economy. This is due to the wide range of applications for hydrocarbon raw materials in industry and everyday life.

Gasoline, diesel fuel, and fuel oil are produced through the distillation of crude oil, which is why oil prices influence the entire global transportation network — from personal vehicles to freight and aviation.

In addition, petroleum serves as the basis for synthetic rubbers used in the manufacture of shoes, car tires, conveyor belts, and more.

Oil derivatives are also critical in plastic production. Plastics are found everywhere: in car components, electronics, medical devices, packaging, bottles, furniture, and thousands of other items. Thus, the price of WTI affects not only energy markets, but also the cost structure of goods across multiple industries worldwide.

Oil in Medicine, Food, and Industry. Oil is also actively used in medicine — many antibiotics, antiseptics, and pharmaceutical solvents are derived from hydrocarbons. Even in the food industry, oil plays a role: just 2% of global oil production can yield enough synthetic protein to feed 2 billion people annually.

Household and industrial chemicals, dyes, detergents, chewing gum, and numerous other everyday products are made from oil derivatives. Its role extends far beyond energy alone.

WTI in Financial Markets. Hydrocarbons are not only a source of fuel or raw material — they are also key instruments in financial markets. WTI crude oil is widely used for speculation and hedging, and its quotes are closely monitored due to strong correlations with currencies, stocks, and other commodities. Like most raw materials, WTI oil is primarily traded through futures contracts — making it one of the most liquid and actively watched assets in the world.

How to Trade WTI Oil

There are several ways to gain exposure to WTI crude oil — each suited to different levels of experience, capital, and investment goals. The most common method is trading futures contracts, which are standardized agreements to buy or sell oil at a specified price on a future date. WTI futures are traded on the NYMEX (a division of CME Group) under the ticker CL and offer deep liquidity and tight spreads.

CFD Trading. For those who prefer more flexibility or lower capital requirements, CFDs (Contracts for Difference) are a popular alternative. With CFDs, traders can speculate on WTI price movements without owning the underlying asset. They can go long or short and use leverage, which increases both potential profits and risks. CFDs are widely available on most trading platforms.

ETFs and ETNs. Another accessible way to invest in WTI is through exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and exchange-traded notes (ETNs). These instruments track the performance of oil prices or futures indexes and can be bought just like stocks. Examples include the United States Oil Fund (USO) and ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil (UCO). They are suitable for those who want indirect exposure to WTI without dealing with futures accounts or margin requirements.

Oil Company Stocks. Finally, one can gain exposure to oil prices by investing in shares of companies involved in oil exploration, production, and refining — as discussed earlier. While this is a less direct method, the stock prices of oil companies often correlate with movements in WTI prices, especially for firms operating primarily in the U.S.

WTI Crude Oil Price Chart – Live Quote FAQ 🛢️📊