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?

(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

The correct answer is (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I.

Explanation

(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I:
- Statement-I: The Sumed pipeline is indeed a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe. It serves as a major route for transporting crude oil from the Middle East to Europe and beyond, bypassing the limitations of the Suez Canal for fully loaded supertankers .
- Statement-II: The Sumed pipeline connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea. It runs from the Ain Sokhna terminal in the Gulf of Suez to the Sidi Kerir port on the Mediterranean Sea .
- Explanation: Statement-II explains Statement-I because the Sumed pipeline’s connection between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea allows it to serve as a strategic route for oil shipments from the Persian Gulf to Europe, bypassing the Suez Canal’s limitations .
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I:
- This option is incorrect because Statement-II directly explains why the Sumed pipeline is a strategic route for oil shipments to Europe.
(c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect:
- This option is incorrect because both statements are correct. The Sumed pipeline does connect the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea .
(d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct:
- This option is incorrect because Statement-I is correct. The Sumed pipeline is a strategic route for oil shipments from the Persian Gulf to Europe .

Learn more

Sumed Pipeline:
- Strategic Importance: The Sumed pipeline is crucial for transporting crude oil from the Middle East to Europe, bypassing the Suez Canal’s limitations for fully loaded supertankers .
- Route: It connects the Red Sea (Ain Sokhna terminal) with the Mediterranean Sea (Sidi Kerir port).
- Capacity: The pipeline has a capacity of 2.5 million barrels per day and consists of two parallel lines of 42 inches in diameter .
- Ownership: It is operated by the Arab Petroleum Pipeline Company, a joint venture involving EGPC, Saudi Aramco, IPIC, and other stakeholders.
- Economic and Environmental Benefits: The pipeline reduces transportation time and costs, generates revenue for Egypt, and is considered safer and more environmentally friendly compared to maritime shipping.