UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 10
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 ?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Correct Option: A (Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I)
Explanation: The SUMED oil pipeline runs across Egypt between the Red Sea and Mediterranean, bypassing limitations of the Suez Canal and facilitating Gulf crude oil shipments to Europe.
Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis:
I. Correct/True - It is an important oil-transit route to Europe; wording about natural gas is imprecise because the pipeline carries crude oil.
II. Correct/True - The pipeline connects Ain Sukhna on the Red Sea with Sidi Kerir on the Mediterranean.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Correct-both statements hold, and II explains I.
B. Incorrect-Statement II directly explains the situation in Statement I.
C. Incorrect-Statement II is true, not false: The pipeline connects Ain Sukhna on the Red Sea with Sidi Kerir on the Mediterranean.
D. Incorrect-Statement I is true, not false: It is an important oil-transit route to Europe; wording about natural gas is imprecise because the pipeline carries crude oil.
Review note: The stem includes “natural gas” although SUMED is a crude-oil pipeline; review wording.