UPSC Prelims 2024 · Question 28 of 97

UPSC Prelims 2024 question on SUMED Pipeline

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I:
Sumed pipeline is a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe.

Statement-II:
Sumed pipeline connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  3. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  4. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
Show answer

Answer: A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I

Verdict

Both statements are correct, and Statement-II directly explains Statement-I — the SUMED pipeline connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea, which is precisely why it is a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil shipments to Europe.

Analysis

Hence option (a) is the correct answer.

Statement by statement

Statement I – CORRECT: The Suez Canal, the SUMED pipeline, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait are strategic routes for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe and North America. Total oil shipments via these routes accounted for about 12% of total seaborne-traded oil in the first half of 2023, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments accounted for about 8% of worldwide LNG trade.

Statement II – CORRECT: The Suez Canal and SUMED pipeline are located in Egypt and connect the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea. The SUMED pipeline transports crude oil north through Egypt and has a capacity of 2.5 million barrels per day.

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