UPSC Prelims 2024 Q88: Geography – Transport & Infrastructure Geography
- (a) Both Statement - I and Statement - II are correct and Statement - II explains Statement - I
- (b) Both Statement - I and Statement - II are correct, but Statement - II does not explain Statement - I
- (c) Statement - I is correct, but Statement - II is incorrect
- (d) Statement - I is incorrect, but Statement - II is correct
Answer: (a) Both Statement - I and Statement - II are correct and Statement - II explains Statement - I
Explanation
SUMED Pipeline - Statement Analysis
Statement-by-Statement Breakdown:
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | SUMED pipeline is a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil shipments to Europe | TRUE | The SUMED (Suez-Mediterranean) pipeline is an alternative to the Suez Canal for crude oil transport from the Persian Gulf to European markets. When Suez Canal is congested or for large tankers that cannot transit the Canal, SUMED provides the route. |
| II | SUMED pipeline connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea | TRUE | SUMED runs from Ain Sokhna (on Egypt's Red Sea coast) to Sidi Kerir (near Alexandria on Egypt's Mediterranean coast) - directly connecting the two seas. |
Does Statement II explain Statement I?
YES - because the pipeline connects the Red Sea (where Persian Gulf oil tankers arrive after passing through the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Aden) to the Mediterranean Sea (from where oil reaches European ports). The Red Sea-to-Mediterranean route IS the mechanism that makes SUMED strategic for European oil supply.
SUMED Pipeline Facts:
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Suez-Mediterranean Pipeline |
| Country | Egypt |
| Length | ~320 km |
| Capacity | Up to 2.5 million barrels per day |
| Opened | 1977 |
Answer: (a) Both Statement - I and Statement - II are correct and Statement - II explains Statement - I.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Both statements are correct and Statement II explains Statement I. The pipeline connects Red Sea (Persian Gulf entry point) to Mediterranean (access to Europe) - this Red Sea-to-Mediterranean connection is precisely what makes it strategic for European oil supply.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement II does explain Statement I - the geographic connection from Red Sea to Mediterranean is the reason SUMED is strategically important for Europe-bound Persian Gulf oil.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement II is correct - SUMED definitively connects Ain Sokhna (Red Sea) to Sidi Kerir (Mediterranean). This geographic fact is well-established.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement I is correct - SUMED is indeed a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil (and to some extent LNG) to reach Europe, especially when the Suez Canal is congested.
Key point
SUMED Pipeline: Ain Sokhna (Red Sea) to Sidi Kerir (Mediterranean), ~320 km, Egypt. Strategic because it carries Persian Gulf crude to Mediterranean for European supply. Statement II (Red Sea to Mediterranean) explains Statement I (strategic for Europe).
Remember
SUMED pipeline connects Ain Sokhna (Red Sea) to Sidi Kerir (Mediterranean) in Egypt, making it a strategic route for Persian Gulf crude oil to reach European markets. Statement II (Red Sea-Mediterranean connection) explains Statement I (strategic for Europe).
Common mistakes
- Thinking the SUMED carries natural gas - it primarily carries crude oil, not natural gas. LNG has separate transport infrastructure.
- Not knowing SUMED is in Egypt - it is an Egyptian pipeline that bypasses the Suez Canal for large crude oil tankers that cannot fit through the canal.
- Not seeing the explanatory relationship between Statements I and II - the Red Sea-Mediterranean connection (II) is the geographic mechanism that makes SUMED strategically useful for European oil imports (I).
Exam tip
SUMED = Suez-Mediterranean = Egypt = Red Sea to Mediterranean = crude oil. Strategic because it is an alternative to Suez Canal for large tankers. Remember: SUMED parallels the Suez Canal's function but through a pipeline instead of a waterway.
Sources
- Arab Petroleum Pipelines Company (SUMED) — About SUMED: the Suez–Mediterranean pipeline
- U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) - SUMED Pipeline